TJ Walker breaks down what authenticity means in communication, using Marc Maron and Joe Rogan as examples of different styles. He argues that vulnerability, controversial views, and shock tactics all read as authentic, and advises picking a persona that fits you and revealing the right weaknesses.
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Are you an authentic speaker? An authentic communicator? We live in a time where there's so much phony, so much artificial intelligence, you don't know what's real and what isn't real. And people are saying over and over again what they really want is somebody authentic. But what does that really mean? I can tell you here in the United States, one person who's seen as really authentic by tens of millions of people paints his face orange every day, dyes his hair orange, and to tens of millions of other people is the most inauthentic clown in the entire world. So what does this really mean? Welcome to the T.J. walker Success Channel. This is the place where I help you become more successful by learning how to boost your communication skills, your competency and your confidence. There are a lot of different types of authenticity. Marc Maron, the well known podcaster, comes across as authentic to many because he really reveals things like depression and worst moments in his life and relationship breakups. Joe Rogan, the wildly successful podcaster, is seen as authentic because he's not afraid to make fun of himself. And he talks about hair transplants and the scars in the back of his head and doing all sorts of things to try to make himself look better. He talks about things that most people would be too embarrassed to talk about that makes him come across as authentic. What does it really mean to you? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to know what authentic means to you and who you think is the most authentic communicator you know. But more important, I want you to think about what do you need to do to come across as more authentic to people you speak with, Whether it is friends, family, three colleagues at the office, to people in your industry speaking to prospects, clients, speaking on national tv, speaking on your own social media channels. What do you need to do to be authentic and to be seen as authentic? Because it means so many different things to people, people. If you believe in paying success forward, then hit the share button. Now let's spread more confidence around the world. I do think you can put things in a couple of different camps. One is simply revealing weaknesses in yourself, talking about your vulnerability. That's going to make you seem authentic to a lot of people. That is certainly one way of coming across authentic. Another way of coming across is authentic is this is a darker side of things. It's revealing things you hate, hatreds, biases, things that many people in society would say, that's wrong, you shouldn't say that. And you're still willing to say it. And the people who have the same biases as you, the same frustrations, the same objects of dislike or even hatred, if they are in alignment with you, they very well may feel that you are authentic because you're willing to say things they think but are afraid to say out loud. So that's also a type of authenticity. Don't miss a beat on your journey to success. Tap the bell to receive notifications so you get constant updates for your own journey. You've got to judge for yourself. If you do come across as authentic, there is a reward for you. People you speak with, people you talk to are going to feel a closer connection to you. They're going to listen to you more, they are going to feel like you understand them more, and they are going to want to support you. But keep in mind, there are many, many ways of coming across as authentic these days. One thing I've seen a lot of top communicators do, it's not really my style, but they use the F word, they use other profanity and they feel like, well, now I come across as hip. One extraordinarily well known and respected motivational speaker had a documentary a few years ago come out and it seemed like every other word was the F word. Now I'm not offended by that. We're all adults here. At least I am. I hope you are. If you're watching this, to me it seems a little gimmicky. It seems contrived. It seems like you're trying too hard. If every other word has to be the F word of look how hip I am and look how cool I am and what a bad boy I am and yet other people like it. Your thoughts matter. Please leave a comment below in the comment section. Or a question or a criticism or a complaint or praise. Here's my recommendation to you. Figure out how you want to come across in a way that's authentic to you. Because very few of us are really great actors and ability to Note to editor Scratch that. Very few of us are such great, great, wonderful actors that we can put on a fake Persona all the time for days, weeks, months, years. It's going to be a lot easier for you if you come across in a way that feels authentic to you. So that's really the biggest recommendation I have for you, is figure out a way that's authentic to you and that allows you to reveal some weaknesses, flaws, your inner life with the people you're communicating with. And in the long run, that's going to make you feel better and it's going to make you more successful. Can I ask you a personal favor? I'm trying to help more people just like you all around the globe improve their personal communication skills. And to be more successful, if you hit the subscribe button, not only will I be able to help you, but that'll send a message to others around the world that this is a place for them. So please, as a small favor, hit subscribe.
