Authenticity is King / Queen
And why wearing your hat backwards is a sign of good leadership
4.2.24
⏳ THE LINE-UP
What’s on the lineup card (agenda)?
This week, we lean into authenticity with a definition, framework and a connection to baseball, Steve Jobs and Wrestlemania.
☕️ THE WARM-UP
How do you define authenticity?
Let’s go to the dictionary “of undisputed origin; genuine.”
Ok, let’s try another version - “not false or imitation. Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real.”
Well, what about wrestling? Like, the people that are pretending to be real but everyone knows they are fake?
It seems like a contradiction to say that authenticity plays a pivotal role in a sport that is staged - but it couldn't be any more true. With Wrestlemania (Super Bowl for wrestling) approaching this weekend, I thought I’d break down a few characters and how authenticity shows up in the sport - and yes, how you can apply it.
Now, let’s go back to the definition above “Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real.”
When you read this out loud, it seems odd that we’d be anything but real or not false. Right?
So then why do we struggle to be our authentic selves? Well, sometimes it’s not welcomed.
I.E. IN BASEBALL
Jazz Chisolms Jr. (emerging star in Major League Baseball) had two appearances over the past couple of weeks talking about the culture of baseball. On The Pivot, he talks about expressing himself as not just a player but also an artist. The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that he was not welcomed by veteran players.
I’m sure you’ve all been there before. Locker room or not, you’ve heard the saying, “we don’t do that here.”
Jazz followed that appearance, joining a new series by the team at Uninterrupted. He talks about the game being taken too seriously and the fact that this concept of “fun” has notoriously been eliminated by traditionalists. He then references the King of authenticity, Ken Griffey Jr.
With kid-like energy, blowing bubble gum and showing up with his hat backwards, Ken Griffey Jr. was the definition of authenticity from the above definition - real and genuine.
Because of Ken Griffey Jr’s courage to break the norm, he went on to inspire generations of ballplayers in and outside of the game of baseball. I write more about authenticity in baseball and how you can follow the same playbook The Kid laid out for us.
⏱ GAMETIME
Try This Exercise Out
How does this apply in business?
As much as Steve Jobs (you know the guy) was seen as abrasive, unruly or misunderstood; he does check off many of the authenticity boxes. His black turtleneck style also goes unmatched. Like it or not, that look was and always will be synonymous with Steve Jobs.
But what exactly did he do AND more importantly, what can YOU do?
Embark on a path of self-discovery - dictated by you. Not someone else.
Define your playbook of values and principles - to navigate your decisions.
Be completely honest with yourself and take ownership of your faults.
Lean into your unique appearance and style - at the office (or locker room).
What else can help you put this #authenticity stuff into practice?
When someone tells you to “speak your mind,” what comes up for you?
What do you need to take more ownership of in your personal or professional life?
What do you find yourself seeking approval for - and why?
How often are you sharing something about yourself that feels too “personal?”
Does your team know something about you that’s not on your Linkedin or resume?
These 5 questions help with your awareness of how and when your authentic self shows up. It also gives you clues to what prevents it. Stay away from there.
The authenticity game is not something you turn on and off. It takes work, vulnerability and a little bit of getting comfortable being uncomfortable but it’s worth it.
Let’s ring the bell and close this thing out.
🏁 THE CLOSE
Highlights From Today & Sources for Continued Learning
Commit to getting vulnerable with a colleague. Sound weird? Good. Don’t know what to do? Tell a peer or direct report a story about you messing up. You’re welcome.
Listen to Brene Brown for 60 seconds on 60 seconds talking about the importance of vulnerability in the workplace and how it drives innovation - and this was 4 years ago.
Read this article from Chavo Guerrero talking about The Iron Claw and why authenticity was a must when filming. Not just for the wrestling community, but in honor of his family.
ON DECK
Teaser to What Leadership Pillar and Topic Is Up for Next Week
The Identity of a golfer through the legendary Happy Gilmore himself. Oh, and the Masters. We’ll talk about that too.
