The Authenticity Advantage: Building Value by Being Yourself

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The brand Masterclass features RuPaul as an instructor on the topic of Self Expression and Authenticity. Among his opening lines: “you’re born naked, and the rest is drag.”

A powerful reminder of how all of our identities are a construct — flexible enough to change based on context. What we would wear to work isn’t the same as what we would wear to the gym, for example. At least it wasn’t the same pre-pandemic.

RuPaul isn’t talking about gender. He’s emphasizing the fact that we have personal freedom and an ability to choose how to express ourselves.

My personal path to authenticity actually did connect to fashion. For me, authenticity blossomed when I was invited, by the Japanese designer Rynshu, to walk the runway for his show in Paris. Here, I experienced a transformational shift — from my leadership role as an agency owner, with the associated responsibilities — to my work in service of an artistic vision, following and trusting a designer’s direction. I came to understand the connection between being authentic and owning not only my agency, but my real self.

Finding strength in authenticity, my own and others, has meant identifying core values and defining what is non-negotiable as I navigate the realities of compromise and collaboration. Authenticity is not rigid, it is not without empathy, it is not situationally unaware. It is easier to describe what authenticity isn’t than what it is – but when you feel it in yourself or experience it in others, it is game changing.

The word authenticity can be somewhat hard to define. As used (or overused) of late, it teeters on the brink of becoming jargon, as happens with so many words. Since the early 90’s, and perhaps prior, brand authenticity was believed to be an essential aspect of marketing. One definition is “the extent to which consumers perceive a brand to be faithful and true toward itself and its consumers, and to support consumers being true to themselves.”

The evolution of personal branding follows a parallel path. Like brands, personal authenticity often elicits trust, loyalty, perceived quality and cultural iconicity in celebrities, leaders and those with a visible, influential platform.

Take the iconic Billy Porter as an example. I am willing to bet anyone even tangentially familiar with his work as an artist and advocate would credit him with being authentic. My connection to Billy began prior to his Tony winning performance in Kinky Boots when he was working toward making it as a solo recording artist. His talent was undeniable, but racism and homophobia were undeniable as well.

“It was about trying to fix myself so other people would feel comfortable around me,” he has said. And then he made a decision to engage with life from a place of authenticity and, in spite of the same pernicious obstacles, his world changed – or better stated, he changed his world.

I have seen Billy perform in his Black Mona Lisa Tour in three different cities. Every show was distinct, but they were all grounded in the kind of authenticity that is contagious and empowering. Audiences can’t help but want to emulate the freedom that his fierce commitment to authenticity generates. I know that’s how I have felt at every performance.

Earlier this year, I experienced a professional moment I only imagined was possible. I was inducted into the AAF’s Advertising Hall of Fame, becoming the first openly gay advertising executive to do so. With a focus on legacy, impact, and other such criteria that makes one a contender for such an honor, I have been giving a lot of thought to authenticity.

I have also been reflecting on the years I spent doing exactly what Billy describes: fixing myself to make others comfortable. And I know I am not alone. The statistics surrounding openly gay executives are painfully low with only 4 openly gay CEO’s and only 10 out of thousands of named executive officers identifying as part of the LGBTQ community, according to a review of leaders at America’s 1,000 largest companies by DiversIQ. Even those who are openly gay, acknowledge that they aren’t always able to live and work as their authentic selves. Coming out is a huge step toward living one’s truth but it is not the only step.

Organizations with a strong culture of authenticity and inclusion have a lot to gain. Research by Deloitte found employees who felt they could be themselves at work were more likely to contribute their full potential, had higher productivity, and stayed with the organization for longer periods.

While LGBTQ+ authenticity does not depend upon allies, the attacks on the community make allyship all the more important. Authenticity plays a role here as well. The difference between authentic allyship and performative allyship has never been clearer. The ability to stand up for human rights and not get dragged into political fights is essential.

Real inclusion cannot “conveniently” exclude LGBTQ+ representation and respect. Pride is a hard-earned state of being, not a few days on an event calendar. Authenticity isn’t a light switch that gets turned on and off – and, for those of us who wouldn’t have it any other way, that’s something to be proud of.  By unapologetically living my truth, I experience the joy of authenticity.

And, as studies show, that’s good for all of us.