The dictionary defines authentic as ‘conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief’. Authenticity or undisputed credibility has always been one of the foundations of good character.  All religions acknowledge authenticity as a mark of right living. However, as human beings free themselves of the mantle of religion, they set aside authenticity and live to please themselves.

What is happening to authenticity today? As human ambitions evolve, the desire and will to achieve at any cost, overshadows this feather in character’s cap.  Time and again, history records biographies of men and women who have sacrificed truth in order to become “known”. In this process, the ideals of a value-based life are scattered in the winds of success.  The focus on the end becomes such a passion that the way and the path to that end matters less and less.  Authenticity like other noble traits of character is lost in the world’s progress.

There once was a man who worked for a potter. His skills were really great and the potter gained much renown because of this man. Many years passed and one day, the man told the potter that he has decided to leave tomorrow. After much discussion, the potter agreed to send him away. But he gave him one last task – to make a beautiful vase painted with gold. Now the man was in a hurry and did not want to do this job, but because of the potter’s request, he went about it. His mind was not in it, he did a bad job and applied diluted paint of gold to make it stick and dry faster. The next day he presented the bad piece of work to the potter. The potter looked at him with sad eyes and said, “My good man, all these years you had proved yourself greatly but now when I wanted you to make your own reward, you have done badly”. The man, surprised walked away from there with sorrow in his heart.

Why be authentic? The reasons are many.  Management books talk at length about it.  Authentic living presents us in the best light; as we desire to be seen. 

If you tell the truth you don t have to remember anything. How true is this statement of Mark Twain! When we tell a lie – either white or black, we need sharp memories to cover that lie. Trying to remember the lie lets loose the devils of stress. Being authentic brings the blessings of a stress-free-no-secrets lifestyle.

Besides, if we are truthful at all times, even under extreme circumstances, we influence others. And influence causes us to become leaders. The days when charisma played a significant role in leadership, have given way to ‘leading by example’ in the citadels of leadership today. 

And how can I be authentic? Rudyard Kipling says: I keep six honest serving men, they taught me all I knew; their names are what and why and when, and how and where and who? Through this he tells us to use these six ‘men’ to search for honest answers before making a decision or undertaking a task. This enables well-thought out choices.  These ‘men’ are like guides that keep us on track.

The most frequently asked question is: “Do you think you can satisfy everyone by being authentic?”  “Always do the right thing. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest, is Mark Twain’s advice. But remember, while being authentic may satisfy you, others may have opinions or make offers that may be in sharp contrast. But it’s important to stick on to your values.

Every person leaves his signature on the beaches of time. More important than what we achieve is, how we achieve it.  Do you want to leave an authentic signature or one of a liar, bribe-taker, wrong-doer or colored by ambitious achievements?

The Truth will set you free. You have the freedom to choose, so choose wisely.