Being Human
“We still think of a powerful man as a born leader and a powerful woman as an anomaly.” ― Margaret Atwood
Since I decided to launch Thriving - a number of people have questioned my sanity.
Not because of the fact I’m sharing a very personal story - a story that has some pretty ugly edges. I expected that one. Interestingly - that question hasn’t come up.
The questions to date are concerns about “muddying” my brand. Say what?
The comments go something like this.
“You’re a business woman with the persona of being a gravity defying kinda gal with a professional bullet. Thriving is going to confuse everyone about who you are and what you do. You’re going to destroy your brand and your career.”
I’ve been positioning and launching companies for over 20 years now. I understand brand perception as well as anyone in this business. But I never ever thought of applying those business rules to my own personal self - limiting myself to become a “face” to the market.
If I become a “brand” - without showing the reality of me - I’ll leave behind the strongest and more important part of me - my humanity and my truth. Isn’t that exactly what so many of us accuse the gooroos of doing - creating a false face to the world without sharing their reality, their truth?
We are Human Beings in Everything We Do!
Yes, I’m a recognized expert in creating kickbutt go-to-market strategies, positioning and launches. I’m also an experienced turnaround artist and startup pilot.
Who says I can’t also share who I am as a real person - warts and all? I have a real life, real pain and a real story that I know I am destined to share with others. Why should that story tarnish or confuse my professional accomplishments?
Somewhere along the line I think we all got our wires crossed. Maybe social media has accelerated the trend to put our best face forward for the world to know and love. Maybe we still have the old status quo beliefs about separating career and personal lives.
I think that’s all outdated thinking. We are all humans in business, in everything we do. Our humanity guides and defines us. Our status quo beliefs shape our reactions to our world - as women and men, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, friends and business people.
Who says a proven business woman can’t also be the Thriving victim of childhood torture? Why do I need to separate those aspects of myself - hiding my humanity and putting on a false face for the world? Why would I want to?
I don’t want to - and I won’t. If showing all of me confuses my brand - so be it. If business followers ditch me because I share my human side - then that’s what they need to do. I know that my Path with Purpose is to share my stories, my healing, my truth to help others like me. I’m actively building programs right now to help others do just that. If business people see my humanity as a turnoff instead of a strength - that’s their choice- and a very limited one in my perspective.
Here’s my question for you…
How often do we hide our humanity, the very essence that makes us who we are, that gives us our power? Simply because admitting that humanity, stepping into ourselves, is uncomfortable.
Do you feel like you cop out on yourselves if you do that? Or is it just part of our “transparent” world - that’s not that transparent anymore?
3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
You know what I say to those nay-sayers? GO JUMP IN A LAKE! I like knowing the person behind the brand...and you've separated your businesses/blogs just like the pro you are! Go for it, Red!
Yeah! Thank you. I'm so transparent I make MYSELF uncomfortable sometimes! LOL! I have struggled for years with people being uncomfortable with my honesty. But I accept people for who they are and the life they've lived. I've learned that the only way to really get to know someone is to let them really get to know me, what experiences shaped me, my strengths, and my weaknesses.
I needed to hear what you said:
"If showing all of me confuses my brand - so be it. If business followers ditch me because I share my human side - then that’s what they need to do. I know that my Path with Purpose is to share my stories, my healing, my truth to help others like me. I’m actively building programs right now to help others do just that. If business people see my humanity as a turnoff instead of a strength - that’s their choice- and a very limited one in my perspective. "
My brand? BETSY. I love her, warts and all, as you say! Most days, that is!!
Thanks as always for the support Bruce - you are such a rock!
Betsy - I am so glad to meet you. I think it's hard for some people to understand those of us who are open books. let's face it - for every open book there is a tightly closed book as well. Neither is right or wrong - it's just different.
I know from my friends that some people just dont understand transparency - they hold their cards and truths tightly to their chest - and that's OK. For them - the thought of sharing ANYTHING personal is a big deal. So when I drop scary ugly truths in front of all to see - it's so foreign to those folks they don't know what to do.
That said - I still believe that our true power comes from showing ourselves in our full reality...not from showing only the sides of us that are like everyone else.
Good for you for stepping into transparency. Blessings and light!
bel