Business, For Purpose, Sustainability, The Zone, Thoughts

Authentically authentic!

The Optimistic Cynic

Two years ago I posted my definition of authenticity.

Authentic is still one of the current buzz words and for me, once I see a word being used in discussions around mainstream marketing, I know it’s been well and truly kidnapped.

Authentic is a word we should be using and to help reclaim it, here are some further thoughts on what it means:

To be authentic, it is not enough to know your values, you must be your values.

You have to live your values, not just talk about them.

You have to be real and always show your true self.

Your actions must always be congruent with your beliefs and values – irrespective of what pressures you may be under.

Don’t try to live anyone else’s values, people will find out!

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Disability

What’s hiding the bright future!

The Optimistic Cynic

I have just flipped through the presentations made to the NZ Disability Support Network annual conference last month.

Conferences talk about great things and that saddens me.

I’m sad not because I don’t want to see great support, transformational change and awesome outcomes. Quite the opposite.

I’m sad because the current environment can’t supply sufficient (and capable) staff to meet even basic support needs. Adequate housing is becoming unaffordable. We’re still not putting any effort into reducing the appalling health outcomes for people with an intellectual disability. True inclusion is still so far away in many parts of society (how often do we talk about disability in conversations about diversity?).

I want to believe in a bright future, a future where a person drives the support they need and sees a world that genuinely accepts them for who they are.

I want a world where it doesn’t take over four years to get staff to help prepare frozen meals so people can have a good dinner on nights when their support doesn’t show up!

So what’s hiding a bright future? Current reality!

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