“You should never have to feel inauthentic or deceptive to succeed in business.”
– Matthew Pollard
Many of us went back to our roots when the pandemic hit or discovered what we look like without the 30-minute extra grooming!
I sported braids for five years before the pandemic. When my hair braider closed due to the pandemic, I panicked! What was I going to do with my natural hair? More importantly, how were my colleagues going to view me with my naturally curly hair that shrinks to ¾ of its natural length? Other than my hair, nothing else changed. I still woke up with my morning smile and excited energy, not instigated or manipulated by coffee. I fully dressed (no – I could not do the pajama or sweat pants thing) and applied the only makeup I use, lipstick. Why did I initially feel a little nervous about conducting all my meetings on camera – other than the fact that few people saw my natural hair.
What allowed me to succeed in business despite the pandemic wasn’t because I slapped a wig on my head. I succeeded because of who I am, never changed! Every time someone made contact with me, they met the same person. Giddy, often loud, always pleasant, and genuinely happy to be blessed with another day of life – Drena.
Too often, we think that people will only do business with us if we act a certain way or sound a certain way. You are the primary factor in your success. You should never be inauthentic or deceptive to succeed in business. My business mantra is that I do business with the person, not the company name on the check. This statement has allowed me to feel confident in who I am, what I do, and build strong relationships with the individuals I serve. So turn on your virtual camera, be yourself, and wish someone “Happy World Day of Culture!”
Posted by Dr. Drena Valentine to LinkedIn on May 21, 2021.
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