They aren’t motivated by material
things
Genuine people don’t need shiny,
fancy stuff in order to feel good. It’s
not that they think it’s wrong to go
out and buy the latest and greatest
items to show off their status; they
just don’t need to do this to be
happy. Their happiness comes from
within, as well as from the simpler
pleasures - such as friends, family,
and a sense of purpose - that make
life rich.
They are trustworthy
People gravitate toward those who
are genuine because they know
they can trust them. It is difficult
to like someone when you don’t
know who they really are and how
they really feel. Genuine people
mean what they say, and if they
make a commitment, they keep it.
You’ll never hear a truly genuine
person say, “Oh, I just said that to
make the meeting end faster.” You
know that if they say something, it’s
because they believe it to be true.
They are thick-skinned
Genuine people have a strong
enough sense of self that they don’t
go around seeing offense that isn’t
there. If somebody criticizes one of
their ideas, they don’t treat this as a
personal attack. There’s no need for
them to jump to conclusions, feel
insulted, and start plotting their
revenge.
They’re able to objectively evaluate
negative and constructive feedback,
accept what works, put it into
practice, and leave the rest of it
behind without developing hard
feelings.
They put away their phones
Nothing turns someone off to
you like a mid-conversation text
message or even a quick glance at
‘‘Genuine people know
who they are. They
are confident enough
to be comfortable in
their own skin. They
are firmly grounded in
reality, and they’re truly
present in each moment
because they’re not
trying to figure out
someone else’s agenda
or worrying about
their own.’’
your phone. When genuine people
commit to a conversation, they
focus all of their energy on the
conversation. You will find that
conversations are more enjoyable
and effective when you immerse
yourself in them.
When you robotically approach
people with small talk and are
tethered to your phone, this puts
their brains on autopilot and
prevents them from having any
real affinity for you. Genuine
people create connection and find
depth even in short, everyday
conversations.
Their genuine interest in other
people makes it easy for them to
ask good questions and relate what
they’re told to other important
facets of the speaker’s life.
They aren’t driven by ego
Genuine people don’t make
decisions based on their egos
because they don’t need the
admiration of others in order to feel
good about themselves. Likewise,
they don’t seek the limelight or try
to take credit for other people’s
accomplishments. They simply do
what needs to be done without
saying, “Hey, look at me!”
They aren’t hypocrites
Genuine people practice what
they preach. They don’t tell you
to do one thing and then do the
opposite themselves. That’s largely
due to their self-awareness. Many
hypocrites don’t even recognize
their mistakes. They’re blind to
their own weaknesses. Genuine
people, on the other hand, fix their
own problems first.
They don’t brag
We’ve all worked with people who
can’t stop talking about themselves
and their accomplishments. Have
you ever wondered why? They boast
and brag because they’re insecure
and worried that if they don’t point
out their accomplishments, no one
will notice.
Genuine people don’t need to
brag. They’re confident in their
accomplishments, but they also
realize that when you truly do
something that matters, it stands
on its own merits, regardless of how
many people notice or appreciate it.
Bringing It All Together: Genuine
people know who they are. They are
confident enough to be comfortable
in their own skin. They are firmly
grounded in reality, and they’re
truly present in each moment
because they’re not trying to figure
out someone else’s agenda or
worrying about their own.
What other qualities do you see in
genuine people?
Dr Clifford J Ferguson is the
Managing Partner of Rainmakers,
and chairman of Glad’s House. He
can be reached via mail on: Cliff.
[email protected], or
website; www.rainmakers.uk.com.