As I do every July, I spent last week with my family and a few close friends hiking in the high Sierra.
Each year, I hike up Mt. Conness, a 12,500 foot peak with a lot of hard scrabbling and some pretty terrifying moments before you arrive at the summit.
When we reached the top, we met a guy who’d just free soloed the mountain. While we were hiking up, which was hard enough, he climbed the face of the mountain without ropes or a partner.
That climber, to quote one of my friends, was “maximum stoke”. As enthusiastic and optimistic as I can be, he made me look like Eor from Winnie the Pooh.
Climbing Mt. Conness is always a peak memory from my week in the mountains, but I’ll remember this year because of that free climber who was living his best life on top of the mountain.
Sometimes, just being the most enthusiastic person is a competitive advantage.
Genuine
Now that I’m back to civilization, I’m in full production mode on Responsive Conference. As I write this, the 2-day event is 46 days away!
We released made a video about the conference, filmed at our incredible venue the Oakland Museum of California. You can watch the video here!
The video is genuine. It reflects the kind of event we are creating.
There’s an absence of authenticity in the world today. We don’t need more bombastic sales people. We need true believers; people who are convinced in the value of what they are selling.
The authentic advantage
I’m genuine. That’s authentic to me. You could say that “genuine” is part of my brand.
If you are particularly funny, or sincere, or clever, or whatever – lean into that.
The more you show up in alignment with who you are, the better you’ll be able to perform – or to sell.
Homework
My friend Adam has a big smile. He’s built his entire brand around the nickname “Smiley.”
Seth Godin always wears distinctly colored glasses. That aesthetic is now part of his brand.
I used to hide the fact that I’m an acrobat. These days, I start new business meetings with the fact that I used to perform in the circus.
What’s one character trait you have that is a bit unusual? Take something that kids in middle school made fun of you for and own it. Make it a strength.
Whether you’re a bit funny, great at remembering names, or have big ears, lean into it.
That thing – your authenticity – will make you memorable.
Until next week,
Robin