Self-authorship enables learners to evaluate information critically, form their own judgments, and collaborate with others to act wisely. Authenticity is about being genuine or real. Balancing this idea of presenting oneself in a certain way to others, while also working to acknowledge/demonstrate one’s authentic self, discuss your journey of self-authorship as it leads to being your authentic self, specifically connected to what you are showcasing in this portfolio.
I have never made the case or the argument that I am perfect, I will stand firm that I am as authentic as I can be as a person and as an aspiring leader. Such authenticity is good and bad all at the same time. It’s good in that people know that I don’t talk just to hear myself talk. They know that when I speak, I truly have something to say that will enhance or advance the conversation. I am more content to sit back and listen to what others have to say first and then voice my opinion based on what I hear and where I see things going. See? Authentic. People know this and respect me for it. Then again, do they really know me? Because am I truly just putting my authentic self forward for the world to see when I’m not letting them in to see and know my true feelings about situations and people? I often bite my tongue and save it to share with my wife, Jennifer, about how angry and frustrated I get with things such as work, colleagues, and members of the MS community. So, am I authentic in my public silence?
Yes. Yes, I am.
That’s because the anger and frustration really are just initial reactions and opinions of things I have not had the time to process and interpret. Saying things out loud, ranting really, are ways to sort through the moments and my feelings. Is this hiding behind the mask? I would argue no. It’s all part of what gets me to be my authentic self as to find through things like our Clifton Strengths and Enneagram assessments we did earlier in this program. Most memorable is that among my top strengths is Positivity—“… you consistently look for the best in people and … refuse to dwell on life’s difficulties” (p. 3)—and my top score personality type is that I am Type 9, The Peacemaker— Peacemaker “The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent” (p. 3). This is who I am in all my authenticity.
This kind of authenticity has been represented in my writings for this class, my interactions with colleagues and friends, and all of the writings I’ve done as an influential voice in the MS community. In fact, several of my writings and assignments for this class I’ve really wanted to post Jennifer and my website because this writing gets at the core of who I am. So, yes, I am beyond thrilled that I finally will be able to share this authenticity with others by posting it on my portfolio.
Resources
Enneagram Institute (2017). Riso-hudson enneagram type indicator (RHETI version 2.5). Enneagram Institute.
Gallup (2000). CliftonStrengths themes. Gallup.