9 ¾ Rules For Authenticity: Be Real In A World Of Fake

9 ¾ Rules for Authenticity: A Survival Guide for Modern Workplaces

 

Who hasn’t survived those meetings where everyone nods gravely to fake understanding? You know, that moment when it’s crystal clear that nobody’s paying attention to the colleague in full-on PowerPoint mode, yet everyone pretends to follow along to avoid looking clueless.

 

Or those cringe-worthy rituals where you feel compelled to ask your least likable colleague:

— “So, how was your weekend?”

Let’s be honest. You don’t actually care. You’re not even remotely interested in hearing them show off.

 

And then there’s the endless scrolling on Social Media, where you like boring, borderline pointless posts just to signal that you’re “engaged,” “understanding,” “connected,” or simply trying to look cool… while secretly wondering what you’ll have for dinner.

 

Sound familiar? Admit it—you’ve been there.

 

In a world where personal branding is king, and screens encourage us to rack up likes, comments, and shares like points in Candy Crush, it’s time to return to basics: authenticity.

 

Authenticity, by the way, is already embraced by younger generations, cats (always honest), and that 90-year-old neighbor who tells you, “It was better back in my day.” And honestly? He might be right.

 

 

9 ¾ Rules for Authenticity (Read with a Pinch of Humor)

 

1. Don’t Smile at Everyone Just to Be Polite

A forced smile is like cold coffee: no one wants it, and it’s painfully obvious.

Instead, master the art of the semi-smile of truth, which says:

— “Yes, I’m polite, but no, I’m not thrilled to be here.”

It’s subtle, mysterious, and far more effective.

 

 

2. Stop Asking “How Are You?” Like a Robot

You know that automatic “How are you?”—the one that doesn’t expect a genuine answer? It’s meaningless and boring.

Replace it with real conversation starters:

     •           “What’s been making you happy lately?”

     •           “If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d do?”

You might feel like an alien at first, but hey, you’ll also get some genuinely interesting answers.

 

 

3. Don’t Be a Social Chameleon

Your playlist is full of Céline Dion, but your colleagues are all about heavy metal? Own it.

Being authentic means accepting that you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. And honestly, that’s a good thing. Oh, and no one cares about your Spotify Wrapped.

 

 

4. Learn to Say “No”… with Style

A well-placed “no” can save your sanity—especially your own. Don’t say yes when you mean no. Or worse, when you know you’ll never follow through.

     •           Fake politeness: “Maybe… I’ll see if I can.”

     •           Honest version: “No, but thank you. Have a great day!”

Add a genuine smile, and voilà—you’ve just entered the exclusive club of people who command respect.

 

 

5. Don’t Lie About Your Weekends

Stop crafting Mission Impossible-worthy stories when all you did was binge-watch Netflix in pajamas with a bag of chips.

Just say it:

— “I rewatched Breaking Bad. It was glorious.”

You’d be surprised how many people do the same—or secretly wish they could.

 

6. Stop Apologizing When You’re Not Sorry

Apologizing unnecessarily is like handing out guilt for free. Don’t do it.

     •           Someone bumps into you: “Sorry!” (Wait, why? It wasn’t your fault.)

     •           You turn down a ridiculous request: “Sorry, but no.” (Why the “sorry”?)

Instead, try:

     •           “Thanks for your patience.”

     •           “That doesn’t work for me.”

Or simply… say nothing. Does the person on the other side ever apologize as much as you do?

 

 

7. Don’t Fake a Passion to Seem Interesting

You don’t have to pretend you’re into yoga or organic wine if you couldn’t care less.

If your thing is building LEGO sets or breeding goldfish, say it with pride.

The right people will appreciate you for it. The rest? Who cares.

 

 

Rule 9 ¾: Ask for Feedback

No one includes soft skills on their resume, right? Be the first.

Download fairception, and give it a go.

You might be pleasantly surprised by what others see in you.

 

Looking for Rules 8 and 9?

 

Why follow the crowd? Sticking to the usual order just didn’t feel authentic.

 

Authenticity is like wearing mismatched socks:

At first, it feels weird. Then, you realize no one notices—or cares—half as much as you do.

 

It’s about being a little offbeat in a world obsessed with appearances and hollow buzzwords.

It’s about having the courage to show who you really are, even if not everyone likes it.

 

And you know what? That’s okay. Because you are your greatest personal brand.