I've spent enough time around the motivational industry to hear the same candy coated buzz words that are deployed to make the audience feel that something really important is being said. It's one reason I am suspicious about the industry for which I owe a portion of my livelihood. The set up is simple, put a lot of people in the same room, give the motivational speaker a microphone, a qualified platform, and time. This gives the speaker instant credibility because, after all, they're on stage, they seem important, and they have an "important message".
Over the past decade, the materials, books and videos offered by the "Preachers of Jack-You-Up" (speakers), and their associated companies that deal the materials, have increasingly deployed the synthetic language of human-ness, human "authenticity", or how we must be "more human" or embrace our "whole selves" at work. The implicit goal is to be "real" with our customers and co-workers. Most of us wouldn't argue with the idea that we benefit when we practice being consistent with our values and that being honest and true are traits of value in anyone. But what do we make of the idea that we somehow can be more human, more authentic, and more..whole?
As I consider my own performance and work inside the world of corporate speakers, preachers and writers, I've seen how easy it is to use these lofty concepts as a way of sounding more profound, of delivering a message of greater meaning and depth. The problem with all of this is that this stuff just isn't actionable and is for the most part quite meaningless. After all, can any of us really practice being more human? How? You either are, or you aren't, and if you're not, then maybe you're a dog, a worm, or my neighbors obscenely fat cat which clearly isn't human. The idea that we need to be more human sets up an impossible standard, because we can't actually be more human than we already are. What we can do is practice being consistent with what we value, speak clearly about and act in accordance with our human values, and act on those values. When we do, it is a visible demonstration of what we hold as important.
What does it mean to be authentic? Authenticity is usually used to confirm the origins of a painting or work of art. How, for crying out loud, does one test for ones own originality? Aren't we already original, I mean, thankfully there isn't another me! If we actually could come up with a test for human authenticity how in the hell would we action that, how would one go about becoming authentic?
Much of the work that I do from the stage has some kind metaphorical element to it, but I take pains to present ideas that are simple, common sense, rational and actionable. We should avoid the new age sounding mumbo-jumbo because it is usless cannon fodder that is about nothing. If we are to create workplaces, lives and communities that are energized and healthy we just need to talk like people, not shamans.On stage, if I can entertain with a few cool stories, make people laugh at some of the absurd things we see in the world, and encourage people to act on something of value, then I've done my job and we've had some fun. No need for mumbo.
Conversation creates and cultivates relationship, and if our conversations are riddled with terms and concepts that are about nothing, than our conversations do little more than waste time and generate nothing. In a world burdened by static talking, flat land texting, and media shouting, what is real and human should be obvious. Just talk and try to listen, then, listen and talk, and allow the energy you feel in response to these conversations be one measure of what you think is real, true, and honest.
It's so simple if you give others your attention, try and minimize distraction and do what you say you're going to do as often as you can. Is that hard? Is that unusual? Surely not. More important, in this constricted economy it is also least expensive answer to some of our damn troubles, since listening and hanging out with others is free. Seems like a good deal to me.
