Be Strategically Authentic

The overused phrase “you do you” is actually good advice. Sort of.

You owe it to yourself to show up honestly and authentically. It’s way too much work to try to morph into what you think other people expect of you.

It’s exhausting and unsustainable.

However, being authentic doesn’t mean you show up in the same way regardless of the situation. Authenticity and discretion coexist nicely.

What you share with your BFFs has no place around a conference table.

Details about your previous boss’ extra-marital affair has no place in a job interview.

How hard you worked on creating the presentation to a potential client because you had no idea where to start has no place in the actual pitch.

I love the women in my life because of how much we share with each other on oh so many different topics. We do this over coffee, a meal, text, email or by phone. It’s one of the great joys of my life.

We are good audiences for each other.

And therein lies the key to being strategically authentic: know your audience.

Which parts of you should always show up? Your smarts, humor, warmth and focus.

It’s the details from which we pick and choose in different settings.

We are all multifaceted. We just don’t need to expose all our facets in all situations.

So “you do you.”

Strategically.