AUTHENTICITY=simultaneously living at the edges and in the center. It’s a rare occurrence that a conference opens with a discussion of authenticity. Well, a business conference that is. While some may have been squirming in their seats, I actually found it refreshing and intriguing. How might this concept apply to my business? How does it apply to my interactions with clients? How does this apply to me, in this moment, sitting at my first Purposeful Planning Collaboration Rendezvous in Broomfield, Colorado? I let Matt Wesley’s words sink in.
I was intrigued enough to hear more in Matt’s session on The Inner Life of the Advisor, where we took a further look into this idea of authenticity. When we’re at the edges, we’re experiencing love and connection. When we’re centered, we’re in touch with the stillness and our own power. When those all come together—love, connection, stillness, power—are we being our most authentic self? Yes. And when we bring that authenticity to our work with our clients, is our relationship richer? The consensus was, yes.
Reflecting on my own session at the Rendezvous, in collaboration with my colleague, Gena Rotstein of Place2Give and Dexterity Consulting, I realize now that it was coming from a place of authenticity. We opened Gen 2: Who Are They, What Do They Care Most Deeply About and How Are They Reshaping the World of Philanthropy, with a slideshow, a walk through the world events, technological developments, cultural icons, and personal memories that shaped us during our formative years. And just to be sure our audience was awake for the last session of the afternoon, we let Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” take us all down memory lane.
My goal really, was to help my colleagues from the worlds of wealth management, law, family business, and psychology, understand our generational differences, appreciate the perspective the next gen donor brings, and be able to use that new awareness to connect with their clients in a different way. Now I understand that different way is really about authenticity.
When we take time to understand and honor generational differences, can that guide us to a place of authenticity? A place where we are more connected at the edges because of that understanding and yet centered in our own experiences. I think so.
I was honored to be asked to present at the Rendezvous and privileged to guide our packed room through activities that would help them better understand the next generation of donors AND their own generation. And in that interaction with one another, I hope they found their own path to authenticity.
My take away from this experience? Truly, authentic connections with colleagues that I hope we all can use to benefit our clients.
For other take aways from the Rendezvous, please see my colleague’s posts on Dr. Stephen Post’s keynote: Gena Rotstein on the gamification of philanthropy and Bruce DeBoskey on the benefits of giving.
