The actor

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Happy Friday to you and I trust today’s content is helpful. You can either read the piece here or watch the 85 sec. video below.

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The actor

I was one of several people on a conference panel many years ago. One question was asked of me that I didn’t know the answer to, but, to appear professional and knowledgeable, I fudged the answer. After the event, I determined I would never do that again. I felt so hypocritical.

The word hypocrite means actor or stage player, which was the case for me. I was acting. And while I was with others on stage, I became alone in my stage play, projecting a self I wanted others to see, rather than being my true self.

This is a journey we travel at times and a new job role is a good example. In wanting to prove ourselves we can tend to act out, or, in more modern terminology, fake it till we make it. And this works for a while, until it doesn’t. We realise at some point we need to discard the actor, in favour of ourselves.

And something is refreshing about real, authentic people. They’re the ones who demonstrate honest communication, willingly admit they don’t have all the answers and ask questions to further their understanding. They carry a certain humble authority about them and while they might be performing a certain role on the work stage, they’re not acting, not pretending, not keeping up appearances. They naturally exhibit real professionalism.

Be your self, as best you’re able. There is only one you in the entire world. It would be a shame to lose yourself, by trying to be somebody else.

Ray

If you would like to explore the possibility of me speaking with your team or working with individuals in their leadership roles, feel free to reply to this email or call directly on +61 403 341 105

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ray@rayhodge.com.au; www.rayhodge.com.au; +61 403 341 105

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• Photo by cottonbro studio