This post contains publicly available content and my responses to exercises from this unit of the course created by Julian Stodd and Sea Salt Learning.
As I started the course, I decided that I would go for 100% completion of all exercises given that there was a leaderboard for completion and learner engagement. On the back of that decision, I decided to do the exercises using “wild mind writing”.
Introduction
In this level, we will explore what authenticity is, how you earn it, how it relates to storytelling, and how organisations themselves can be authentic in their actions if they wish to generate engagement.
Overview
Earning authenticity through our actions.
Video
My response:
We have to be careful in our use of terms when we use words that have specific meanings in the wider world. So, for example, what is the meaning of "authentic" outside the Social Age?
It means:
"of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine"
"representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified"
Clearly, then, if I blog consistent with my true self, I am being authentic. I do not need other people to validate/ confirm that I am being authentic. Do we therefore need another word for "authenticity" in a Social Age context such as "authority" or "influence" or "reputation" or "credibility" which the "voting public" in an organisation can assess stories and amplify them as appropriate?
I was reminded of the philosophical question:
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
I was also reminded of parables in the context of authentic stories. Clearly, parables are not true stories but they are stories with a meaning and a message. Many best selling business books are based wholly on a parable.
Why is Authenticity important?
Authenticity is more than just words: it is actions. It’s more than intent: it is experience. It cannot be bought, it must be earned.
Why is Authenticity important?
My response:
Interesting to read banks getting dissed. I was one of First Direct's first telephone banking customers. Over the c25 years since, they have demonstrated world class customer service to me on each and every interaction I have had with them both on the phone and on their web platform. They demonstrate a deep care for me as one of their customers. A classic example is when I got locked out of my phone security and web security and the patience I was shown as I got back up and running and hand held through that process was amazing.
My view is that customers should use the formal channels to get issues resolved as this would normally be the best route for a customer to get sorted and only resort to social media as a last resort and if it gets to this latter point then the organisation has failed in its customer service delivery.
The food example is fine but I want all of those including raw fruit to fully processed. I adore Christmas cake!
I am the same with stories I like raw stories as well as the ones that have been produced heavily.
It is like my amateur 1-take videos versus a recent Virgin Trains Yammer launch video.
All of the above have their place.
It should also be noted, obviously, that organisations don't tweet, people do (per Euan Semple's book title, which is a must-read). So it is not some inanimate force and power that we are dealing with when we want to push back. It is our work colleagues.
What does it mean to be authentic in the Social Age?
Podcast
Describe what 'Authenticity' means to you
My response:
While listening, I was reminded positively of how Microsoft's new CEO was announced to the world:
For more on Microsoft's storytelling, see this blog post.
Trump: Communication in the Social Age
An exploration of the early stages of the Trump presidency and seeing the battle lines drawn between formal media organisations and social power.
President Trump has swept into power on a new platform: discuss Authenticity in this context. Is he Authentic?
My response:
My response to this is part of a 1 hour video call I did with Joitske for the Co-Creation unit. See (not available publicly) starting at 38:50.
Challenge
Challenging you to develop greater authenticity in your actions and in your stories.
Video
My response:
... so there seems to be a view that all organisations are bad/evil (my words) and that "truth" therefore always needs to speak to "power" and that there needs to be dissent .. is that really true of very organisation? Do we give people the benefit of the doubt or do we think the worst of them? I assume that this is not simply a strategy to make a power grab? ....
... re the organisation asking us to do things that cut across our personal values, this is not a recent issue brought about by the social age. Depending on our values, we may need to resign our position if we are not happy that things have been done right or we are asked to do something that cuts across our values and that our values are therefore of a higher importance than our career and our current job position. A classic example of this is Michael Heseltine resigning over Westland under Margaret Thatcher (he talks about this in detail in this radio programme.
In terms of personal authenticity in my contributions, I have recently discovered Natalie Goldberg's wild mind writing and am up-ing the ante in terms of the passion and fearlessness with which I communicate as well as going personally deeper.
My view is that wherever possible the formal authority structures in an organisation should be used to effect change as they are usually quicker. But if the formal structure is not addressing our issue then yes we need to resort to informal authority structures as per the overall thrust of this course and this will take time for the requisite influence to be gained and deployed.
Share your thoughts on Authenticity
Contribute some thoughts on how Authenticity relates to you and/or your organisation.
My response:
I am becoming increasingly comfortable in my own skin. It is OK for me to be hyper connected, to make connections in my head and not necessarily verbalise them the whole time (However, it helps others understand if I do!). I love seeing paterns as I learn. I love applying knowledge across the sectors. I love it when 2 worlds collide (Simple Minds: https://youtu.be/1zZjrxDIVGk). We are all unique so it is OK if I am! As the Bible says "we are fearfully and wonderfully made". My ever increasing authenticity comes from this foundation.
Wonderful learnings on authenticity and I share the same sentiment with you about the fact that we're all unique.
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