Jose Martin
Let’s get real for a second, authenticity is the new black.
It’s the must-have accessory to your personality ensemble that everyone is talking about, but fewer truly grasp.
You see, we’ve all met people who radiate genuineness, those who seem to effortlessly float on the sea of social interaction with an inner compass directing their words and actions.
What’s their secret?
What does it truly mean to be an authentic person?
Buckle up as we embark on this journey to break down the 12 qualities of a truly authentic person.
1) Self-awareness
Self-awareness, is the starting point on our journey of authenticity. An authentic person is like an open book; they know their own story front to back.
Here’s the thing, they understand their strengths and weaknesses and aren’t afraid to confront them head-on.
I’m not saying they’re superheroes, far from it!
They’re just like you and me, with flaws and all. But, what they do differently is…
They own their flaws and make them a part of their authentic self.
Take my friend Javi for example.
He isn’t the best dancer in the world – I’ve seen him stumble on the dance floor more times than I can count!
But he’s aware of it and takes it in his stride with a sense of humor. That’s what makes Javi, well, Javi.
Authenticity isn’t about being perfect but embracing imperfection.
2) Transparency
Put simply: Authentic people don’t put up facades or play pretend.
These guys are unapologetically themselves in every situation.
The truth is, they express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions openly, not in a confrontational way, but in an honest, respectful manner.
But also, without the fear of judgment or rejection.
Remember the famous line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “This above all: to thine own self be true?”
Now… It seems like the authentic folks took that advice to heart!
And that’s why when you converse with them, it’s like a breath of fresh air. It’s genuine, it’s real, it’s them.
3) Consistency
Now, let’s talk about consistency.
Authentic people are the same whether they’re talking to their boss, their friends, or the barista at the local coffee shop.
They don’t change their spots to suit their surroundings.
So, you might be thinking, “But isn’t it exhausting to always be ‘on’?”.
Here’s the secret – it’s not a performance, it’s just them being them.
My Grandma used to say, “Jose, be like a tree. Stay grounded, keep growing, but never forget your roots.”
In her wisdom, she was describing authenticity long before it became a buzzword.
4) Integrity
The backbone of real people is their integrity. Think of it as the good old days when you could make a deal based just on a handshake!
You see, these people honor their word. They walk their talk.
They’re the type that you can rely on because they keep their promises, even when it isn’t convenient.
For example:
We’ve all got that one friend who will show up late, no matte how many times you’ve told them it’s annoying.
On the other hand, we’ve all got a friend who goes to extra lengths to ensure they always make it bang on time. This is because they know the importance of respecting others and sticking to their word!
You can spot the latter from afar because their actions are in sync with their words. When they say something, they mean it.
5) Acceptance
Moving on to our next quality: Acceptance.
The truth is, authentic people embrace diversity and differences. It’s in their nature!
They don’t just accept themselves, they accept others for who they are too. So, they don’t pass judgment or try to change them to fit into a mold.
Why?
Well, they understand that everyone has their own unique journey and perspective.
In my travels, I’ve met all sorts of people, each with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies.
But it’s these differences that make the world such a fascinating place, don’t you think?
Authentic people not only acknowledge this, but they celebrate it. They accept and appreciate the beautiful chaos that is human existence.
6) Open-mindedness
We’ve just discussed how authentic people accept the diversity of the world. And because of that, it makes them open to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Think of their brains as play-doh, that’s how flexible their thinking is!
They strive to expand their understanding so they don’t close themselves off from the world but show up with open arms to the new and unknown.
How many times have you been in heated debates where it seems like the other person is just waiting for their turn to speak, not really listening to what you’re saying?
That sounds like the opposite of an authentic person, they’re different.
A pattern recognizable in real people would look like this – They:
- Listen
- Ponder
- Digest
- And finally – respond.
It’s this admirable willingness to engage with different viewpoints that sets them apart.
7) Empathy
Real people have a natural ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
In other words, they can put themselves in other people’s shoes and respond with kindness and compassion.
Remember the movie Inside Out? The character Joy couldn’t understand Sadness until she allowed herself to feel what Sadness was feeling.
One thing I love about authentic people is they don’t dismiss or belittle the feelings of others, they empathize, they understand, and they care.
And to do that takes a little bit of…
8) Courage
Courage is the secret sauce that often goes unnoticed, but it’s an essential ingredient in the authenticity recipe.
Authentic people have the courage to express their feelings and opinions, even when they’re not popular.
These are individuals that stand up for what they believe in!
Think of someone like Malala Yousafzai, who courageously stood up for girls’ right to education despite the immense risks.
But it doesn’t come easy… It requires real bravery to be true to yourself – being able to express it, and also, stand against the tide.
9) Humility
This quality is an essential part of the skeleton of these genuine souls.
On the contrary, it’s become kind of normal seeing people bragging or showing off – thanks social media!
The guys we are talking about in this article, they’re the real deal. Confident, yet humble. They acknowledge their accomplishments without sounding arrogant.
Take Keanu Reeves for example, one of my favorite actors.
Despite his enormous success, he’s known for his humility and kindness. He doesn’t flaunt his achievements or fame and remains grounded.
That’s what authenticity looks like!
And that’s why he’s so loved.
It’s about staying humble and keeping your feet firmly on the ground, even when you’ve reached for the stars.
10) Optimism
Optimism is the beacon of light that authentic people carry. They can see the silver lining in every cloud.
With that being said, it’s not because they’re oblivious to hardships, but because they choose to focus on the good.
Now, I’m not saying they’re walking around in a constant state of euphoria, far from it!
Optimists have their low days, just like you and me. But they always find a way to bounce back.
They find hope in the midst of despair. This quality makes them see opportunities where others see obstacles.
So, tell me, how do you see the glass? Half full or half empty?
11) Gratitude
We arrive at gratitude.
The stoic phylosophers thought about it this way:
They believed that everything we have is a loan from the universe, so they felt gratitude for everything they had.
They appreciate the good in their life and don’t take things for granted.
For authentic people, expressing their gratitude openly and honestly is a joy, it provides them more than it takes from them.
Think of it this way, it’s not the happy people who are grateful, it’s the grateful people who are happy.
12) Patience
Following on… as the old saying goes, “Patience is a virtue.”
And authentic people are virtuous! Being patient both with themselves and with others.
They understand that good things take time and that everyone moves at their own pace.
Consider the scenario when you’re stuck in traffic, horns blaring and tempers flaring.
In the midst of all that chaos, you’ll find the authentic person calmly waiting for things to move along.
13) Respect
And finally, one of the most important traits – respect.
Respect comes in many ways. Those who are true to themselves respect others and their boundaries.
They understand that everyone has their own space, both physically and mentally, and they take care not to invade it.
Take my neighbor Carmen, for instance. Her dogs get a bit rowdy, but she doesn’t let them out until 11 am on Sundays so I can enjoy a lie-in!
She respects that her actions can affect others and is mindful of maintaining a peaceful neighborhood.
It’s these small acts of consideration that demonstrate her authenticity.
Conclusion
So there we have it, the 13 qualities that make up an authentic person.
Remember, authenticity isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.
It’s about striving to be a better, truer version of yourself every day.
So, my dear reader, are you ready to pack these traits in your personality backpack and embark on the journey of authenticity?
Because let me tell you, it’s one heck of a ride!
