Latest news with #authenticity
Wall Street Journal
4 hours ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
‘Plato and the Tyrant' Review: Letters From Athens
One way classical scholars have kept busy for 2,500 years is by debating what's real and what isn't. Readers today take it for granted that the texts they encounter are stable and reliable. But in the age of artisanal reproduction, when every character was copied by hand, texts were a bit blurry at the edges. Scribes made unwitting flubs or deliberate 'improvements,' changing letters, words or entire lines. Then there are the parodies, imitations and outright forgeries that have been mistaken for the real thing. Some of these productions came from the classroom, where aping great authors was a staple exercise, as it sometimes still is. One of my Greek professors made us translate the Gettysburg Address in the style of Demosthenes. In that case, nobody was fooled. Among the most tantalizing ancient works of uncertain authenticity is a series of 13 letters supposedly written by Plato. The dialogues for which the Greek philosopher is known unfold as cagey dramas of point and counterpoint, with his teacher Socrates the usual protagonist. But Plato the man does not speak. The letters, by contrast, offer a first-person glimpse of his life and thoughts. The problem is that they have mostly been considered fake. In 'Plato and the Tyrant: The Fall of Greece's Greatest Dynasty and the Making of a Philosophic Masterpiece,' James Romm, a classicist at Bard College, argues that the letters offer a behind-the-scenes look at the 'Republic,' Plato's treatise on justice and government, and the philosopher's disastrous attempts to put its lessons into practice.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
15 Things Your Inner Child Is Still Waiting To Hear
We carry our childhood whispers like secret companions, often too faint to decipher but too persistent to ignore. These echoes of our younger selves shape our desires, fears, and the way we navigate the world. The words we yearned for then might still hold the power to unlock doors in our minds today. Here, we explore those unspoken affirmations that can soothe your inner child and maybe, just maybe, offer you the grace to grow and glow. In the age of perfectionism, the notion of being enough as you are feels almost radical. Your younger self needed to hear that your worth is innate, not dictated by achievements or accolades. Research by Dr. Brené Brown highlights that acknowledgment of inherent worth fosters resilience and authenticity in adulthood. Remember, your essence is not to be measured by external standards, but cherished in its unaltered form. The relentless quest for approval can be traced back to moments when self-worth felt conditional. Imagine whispering to your inner child, reassuring them that their mere existence is a triumph. Perfection is an illusion; being enough is the reality you deserve to embrace. Letting go of the need for validation is a practice worth honing, a gift to the child within. Sadness is often treated like a stain to scrub away, but what if it were simply part of the tapestry of life? Your inner child craved the freedom to cry without judgment, to recognize sorrow without shame. Allowing yourself to experience sadness can be liberating, a profound act of self-compassion that acknowledges your full emotional spectrum. You learned to hide your tears, believing vulnerability was weakness. What if, instead, you let your inner child know that feeling sad is part of being human? Embracing your emotions, rather than stifling them, frees up space for healing and growth. It's only through facing your shadows that you can bask in the light. The dreams you held as a child were pure, untainted by the cynicism of adulthood. Yet, somewhere along the way, you might have been taught they were frivolous or out of reach. Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor, found that writing down goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42%. Your inner child needs to hear that those dreams still hold value and are worthy of pursuit. Reignite those dreams, even if they seem silly or grandiose. Give your inner child permission to imagine without limits, to pursue passions that spark joy. Nurturing these dreams is not merely a nostalgic act but a commitment to living authentically. Remember, the dreams you once whispered to the stars are still waiting to be realized. Love with conditions is a transaction, one your inner child might have become all too familiar with. It's time to dismantle this notion and rebuild it with unconditional regard. An affection not linked to performance or behavior, but simply because you are you, is the type of love that can heal old wounds. Picture the child you were, seeking validation in a world that sometimes seemed indifferent. Your inner child needs to hear that love is not a reward but a given. Accepting love freely, without the weight of expectations, is a revolutionary act of self-care. It's a reminder that love, in its truest form, asks nothing of you but to exist. The fear of making mistakes is often rooted in a childhood where errors were met with criticism or punishment. Yet, every misstep is a stepping stone on the path to understanding and growth. Studies by Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, emphasize the importance of a growth mindset in fostering resilience and a love of learning. Tell your inner child that mistakes are not failures but opportunities in disguise. Consider the shame you might have felt when errors seemed like personal shortcomings. Reassure your inner child that in each mistake lies the potential for insight and innovation. Embrace the chaos of trial and error; it's the fertile ground where creativity blooms. Celebrate your imperfections as markers of a life fully lived and lessons well learned. The ability to say no is often misconstrued as defiance, especially for a child. Yet, having agency and setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships and self-respect. Your inner child yearns to hear that their voice matters, that refusing is not rudeness but a declaration of self-worth. Reflect on times you felt obligated to say yes, even when every fiber of your being screamed no. Teaching your inner child that it's okay to prioritize their needs is a crucial step towards empowerment. Establishing boundaries is not an act of isolation, but one of self-preservation. It's a reminder that your time, energy, and happiness are valuable resources worth protecting. In moments of isolation, your inner child might have felt like an island in an indifferent ocean. But solitude is often an illusion, a trick of the mind that obscures the connections we inherently share. A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that strong social connections reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Let your inner child know that they are part of a vibrant, interconnected web of humanity. Imagine telling your younger self that they are surrounded by unseen allies, even in solitude. Acknowledge the power of community, the comfort found in shared experiences and empathy. Reassure your inner child that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Together, we rise, bolstered by the invisible threads that bind us. Voicelessness can be one of the profound silences a child carries into adulthood. Maybe you were told to sit down, be quiet, and not make waves. Yet your inner child deserves to know that their perspectives and ideas hold immense value. Speak up, even if your voice shakes, for it is through expression that liberation is found. Think of all the times you swallowed your thoughts, fearing judgment or dismissal. Let your inner child hear that silence should not be a default, but a choice. Claim your right to articulate your truth, embracing the power words hold. In doing so, you validate your experiences and beliefs, empowering yourself and those who listen. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, play often becomes a forgotten art. Yet, play is where creativity thrives, where joy is unfiltered and abundant. Your inner child needs to hear that play is not frivolous but rather a vital component of a balanced, fulfilling life. Allow yourself moments of spontaneity and silliness; they are the soul's playtime. Reflect on the pressure to be productive, to always justify your actions with tangible outcomes. Remind your inner child that play fosters imagination and innovation, key ingredients for a vibrant life. Embrace leisure without guilt, knowing that it's as essential as any work you undertake. Rediscover the magic of play, and let it infuse your existence with wonder and possibility. Conformity was often the unwritten rule of childhood, where fitting in felt safer than standing out. Yet, your uniqueness is your superpower, the spark that sets you apart. Your inner child needs to hear that being different is not a liability but an asset. Celebrate your quirks, for they are the threads that weave your distinctive tapestry. Consider the times you hid parts of yourself to blend into the crowd. Reassure your inner child that authenticity opens doors to genuine connections and opportunities. Revel in your peculiarities, knowing they are the hallmarks of a life unapologetically lived. Embrace the diversity within yourself, and watch as it enriches the world around you. Strength is often misconceived as brute force or unyielding toughness. Yet, true strength is the quiet resilience, the ability to endure and adapt in the face of adversity. Your inner child needs to hear that their strength is not measured by their invincibility, but by their courage to persevere. Reflect on the challenges that left you questioning your capacity to cope. Let your inner child know that resilience is forged in the crucible of experience, not in the absence of struggle. Embrace your fortitude, acknowledging the battles you've faced and the wisdom they've imparted. Stand firm in the knowledge that you are capable, courageous, and undeniably strong. In a culture obsessed with linear success, the idea of starting over feels daunting. Yet, every end is a new beginning, a chance to redefine and rediscover. Your inner child needs to hear that it's okay to pivot, to choose a different path when the current one no longer serves. Reinvention is not failure, but a profound act of self-actualization. Consider the fear of leaving behind familiarity, of leaping into the unknown. Reassure your inner child that change is not to be feared but embraced as a gateway to growth. Trust in your ability to rebuild, knowing that your foundation is unshakable. With every new chapter, you write the story of resilience and reinvention. The compulsion to prove oneself can be traced back to early quests for acknowledgment and validation. Yet, your worth is not contingent upon external approval or accolades. Your inner child needs to hear that they are whole and complete without having to justify their existence. Let go of the pressure to perform, and embrace the freedom of being. Think of the times you felt the need to overcompensate, to demonstrate your value tirelessly. Assure your inner child that they are not defined by their accomplishments, but by their essence. You have the liberty to exist authentically, free from the constraints of expectation. In the absence of proving, you find the peace of self-acceptance. Body image issues often originate in childhood, when comparisons and critiques shape self-perception. Yet, your body deserves to be celebrated for its strength, its resilience, and its uniqueness. Your inner child needs to hear that their body is not flawed, but a miraculous vessel that carries them through life. Embrace your form, knowing it is a masterpiece in its own right. Reflect on the societal ideals that dictated what beauty should be. Reassure your inner child that their beauty is not defined by conformity but by individuality. Nourish your body with compassion and gratitude, recognizing its incredible capabilities. In acceptance, you find liberation, a profound love for the skin you're in. Doubt can be a shadow that looms large, obscuring your potential and ambitions. Yet, your inner child needs to hear that they are capable of achieving greatness, of realizing their dreams. Believe in the power of possibility, knowing that the only limits are the ones you impose. Your potential is boundless, waiting to be unleashed. Consider the moments when you questioned your abilities when fear held you back from pursuing your passions. Reaffirm to your inner child that they possess the skills, the vision, and the tenacity to succeed. Trust in your journey, knowing that every step forward is a testament to your capability. In the pursuit of greatness, you honor the child who dared to dream.
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
6 ChatGPT Prompts That Get You Paid $1,000+ To Write In 2025
Writing is a multibillion-dollar industry that takes on a new meaning thanks to increased numbers of ... More online users Back in the day, you'd tell someone, 'I'm a writer,' and the reaction would almost instantly be the embarrassing equivalent of booing. 'Oh really?' they'd query smugly. 'How much does that pay?' Nowadays, it's a completely different story. The script has flipped, with content marketing reigning as king. In fact, content creation and marketing is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and much of it heavily depends on everyday writers who have harnessed their skills and interests to produce blogs, copy, and research worth reading. What's even better, freelance writing offers you the opportunity to build your own career, create your own flexible lifestyle, and get paid lucratively, especially in some niches like business and tech. And you don't even need to be a professional writer to make money from this skill. You can build experience and a portfolio over time and earn along the way. Freelance writers enjoy a level of freedom and career satisfaction that most professionals in non-creative industries or in traditional employment can only imagine. Quite a few are even making six figures, earning thousands each month. There are several compelling reasons you should start writing today: Note: I do not use ChatGPT or AI tools to generate and write my Forbes articles. I am a strong advocate for being authentic and transparent, and all of the stories and articles you see in my Forbes column are 100% human-written. The use cases provided here are suggestions for helping you make money through writing as a freelance writer, and even for other writing use cases which indirectly lead to revenue in a more efficient way, without full dependency on AI or using it to replace your voice. Now for the prompts: You're a copywriter for a marketing agency and your client is a SaaS start-up specializing in CRM software. Create the outline for this 4,000-word SE-optimized article, using this brief [give it your client's brief]. I am a freelance writer and I specialize in [your niche]. I want to pitch [name of client] who operates in [name of industry], so I can guest-write for them. Draft a concise cold pitch email that acknowledges their pain-point and positions me as a solution, without sounding salesy or cheesy. It should end with a CTA. Give me a series of LinkedIn post ideas to promote my personal brand and service offering, for the next week. The tone is [describe your writing tone and brand voice] I'm launching a paid newsletter on Medium called [newsletter name]. The theme will be focused on [what your newsletter is about, and include target audience and industry]. Generate some subject ideas for the next 90 days that I can follow loosely. The subject ideas must speak to a specific need that my audience has, and be highly unique, practical and tangible so they'll want to pay to read it. I've just written a blog and I want you to help me optimize it for SEO, as well as SGE, so it ranks highly in Google search and AI search results. Give me some suggestions on what can be done to improve it before I publish. I'm writing an in-depth thought leadership piece called [name] for my B2B client [name of client], using research and the latest data to create a white paper-like study, which has the following goals, according to the client [list the goals]. Help me outline and structure each part of this paper, and list some relevant sources for real-time data and stats that I can pull from to make this a solid research-backed study. This is how you write faster and smarter. Not through using AI to take away your own voice, but through using it strategically to: Write smarter and faster by using AI to assist with ideation, not to take away your voice Can you make money writing using ChatGPT? Yes you can, but only if you don't misuse it. People online are pretty good at detecting a fraud and can sniff when someone has used AI all over their writing, and it's not a positive first impression either. Ensure you genuinely have something of value and in demand to offer. Do I need to be an experienced writer to make money online? No you don't. You can make money as a beginner, offering your freelance writing services, and increase your rates as you gain experience.
Fast Company
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Fast Company
Is that brand's mission for real? Here's how to spot BS
In today's marketplace, 'authenticity' has become a buzzword that brands strive to embody. Consumers will tell you they are drawn to companies that appear genuine, transparent, and aligned with their personal values, and brands are certainly paying attention. However, the concept of corporate authenticity is complex and often misunderstood. While it seems easy enough to decide whether a person is authentic and honest (which does not imply we are good at it), it is rather more difficult to attempt to judge a corporation on whether it is 'true to itself' or 'lives up to its values.' Unlike individuals, corporations are open systems with diverse stakeholders, making the pursuit of authenticity a challenging endeavor. The impression or view a collective of individuals may hold on them represents less in the form of a tangible or concrete reality, and more in the form of an urban legend or story. As Yuval Harari notes, corporations are shared myths—'Peugeot is not a car, it is a story.' In line, research shows that we often anthropomorphize brands, attributing human characteristics to them. This tendency is encapsulated in Jennifer Aaker's seminal work on brand personality, which identifies five dimensions: sincerity (think Patagonia, known for its environmental activism and ethical sourcing), excitement (Red Bull, with its adrenaline-fueled branding and extreme sports sponsorships), competence (Toyota or Microsoft, projecting reliability and expertise), sophistication (Chanel or Rolex, evoking elegance and luxury), and ruggedness (Jeep or Harley-Davidson, built around toughness and adventure). These categories help marketers craft emotionally resonant narratives, but they can also mislead—creating the illusion of consistent, humanlike traits in organizations that are, in reality, anything but unified or coherent. The Pitfalls of Virtue Signaling Indeed, assigning brands personalities also sets them up for moral scrutiny. Once a company claims to be sincere, competent, or sophisticated, it invites consumers to hold it accountable—not just for performance, but for being honest in what it claims, and doing what it says. That's where things often fall apart. Take the example of punk beer brand BrewDog. In 2022, the company launched an aggressive advertising campaign to distance its beers from the human rights abuses associated with the World Cup, even promising to donate sales of its Lost Lager to fight human rights abuses. But the story became more inconvenient when it emerged the company had a partnership with a distributor in the Gulf, and would continue to show World Cup matches in its pubs. As it turned out, the road from punk rebel to self-serving hypocrite turned out to be rather short. On the other hand, Target's recent decision to double-down on its commitment to DEI despite the growing list of multinationals (including Meta, McDonald's, Ford, Walmart, Amazon, Harley-Davidson, and Disney) deemphasizing or halting their existing DEI programs, appeared to trigger a consumer backlash (at least according to its CEO). Then there's H&M, which promoted a 'Conscious Collection' to highlight its commitment to sustainability, only for watchdogs and NGOs to uncover greenwashing practices and ongoing exploitative labor issues in its supply chain. While consumer perceptions of insincerity may not always be fair or reliable (and there will never be a shortage of social media trolls praying on any corporate decision, including the decision to not say or do anything about anything), the fact remains that if you make a claim to be responsible or ethical, it is only a matter of time before consumers start looking under the hood to see whether your actions—and your political spending—are aligned with what your firm says it cares about. In the digital age, where every claim can be fact-checked and memed within minutes, performative values are not just ineffective—they're often self-handicapping. Is This Brand for Real? A Consumer's Guide to Authenticity If you're wondering whether a brand's values are more than just marketing spin, here are a few practical ways to find out: 1. Is the cause connected to what they actually do? Brands are most credible when they support issues tied to their core business— like a bank promoting financial literacy, or a food company addressing supply chain working conditions. If the cause feels random or like it's chasing headlines, that's worth questioning. 2. Is the message matched by meaningful action? Look beyond the ads. Are they investing in real change, or asking you to do all the work? If a brand promotes sustainability but spends more on ads than action—or emphasizes consumer behavior over their own—it might be more about optics than impact. 3. Are there big gaps between claims and criticism? Compare what a brand says with how it's covered in the press or watchdog reports. If they're celebrating progress on diversity or climate, but facing lawsuits or fines in the same areas, that's a red flag. No brand is perfect, but consistency matters. 4. Who owns the topic inside the company? Real commitment goes beyond marketing. If sustainability or DEI is led by senior leadership and tied to company performance, that suggests seriousness. If it's buried under PR, it may be more about image than impact. 5. Are they transparent about what's not working? No company gets it right all the time. But the best ones admit mistakes, revise targets, and explain why. Honesty is often more powerful than perfection—and it's a key sign that the values are real, not just rehearsed. 6. Do they walk the talk politically? Some brands say one thing in public and back different things behind closed doors. If you care, tools like let you see whether a company's donations and lobbying match their stated values. The Role of Leadership Brand authenticity must be cultivated from the top down. Leaders set the tone for organizational culture and values. When executives embody the principles they espouse, it reinforces authenticity throughout the organization. Conversely, a disconnect between leadership behavior and corporate messaging can undermine credibility. That said, we should also acknowledge a sobering truth: we will never truly know whether a leader is 'authentic' in the sense of being true to their internal values. Self-knowledge is hard enough for individuals —let alone for those interpreting others from a distance. But, as one of us (Tomas) argues in a forthcoming book, Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is Overrated and What to Do Instead, that kind of inner authenticity may not be what matters most anyway. What matters is whether leadership behavior—regardless of motive—results in positive, prosocial outcomes. Are decisions advancing the well-being of employees, customers, society, or the environment? If so, perhaps we shouldn't care whether the driver is conscience or capitalism. To put it bluntly: we don't need leaders to be saints—we need them to behave decently, even if they're doing it to protect the brand, preserve investor confidence, or attract talent. In fact, many of the best corporate decisions are made precisely because they're strategically ethical —not because the CEO had a moral epiphany during their morning meditation. Sure, there are rare and admirable cases where executives have chosen the harder, more ethical path even when it hurts profits (Target, as mentioned above)—pulling out of exploitative markets, paying fair wages despite pressure to cut costs, or refusing to greenwash in favor of slower, more meaningful change. But those leaders are exceptions. We should appreciate them, not expect them as standard. Disregard of decency Still, even in a world where profit is king, some companies stand out not for their lack of idealism, but for their flagrant disregard of decency. These are the firms that exploit labor, abuse data privacy, pollute freely, or thrive on addictive products—not incidentally, but as a matter of business model. Whether or not their leaders are being 'true to themselves' is beside the point. What matters is that they're consistently making the world worse—authentically or otherwise. In this light, corporate authenticity should be judged not by introspection but by impact. Not by consistency with internal values (which are often opaque), but by observable behaviors, externalities, and the lived experiences of stakeholders. Or to put it differently: if your 'authentic self' is toxic, exploitative, or unethical— we'd rather you fake it. And here's the punchline. The most responsible organizations today are often the ones that don't fetishize authenticity, but instead institutionalize accountability. They build feedback loops, audit their culture, measure ethical risks, and reward good behavior even when it's not performative. In other words, they focus less on being 'real' and more on doing right—whatever the motive may be. Pretend Responsibly: Why Corporate Authenticity Is About Impact, Not Essence Kurt Vonnegut famously noted that 'We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.' The same warning applies to companies. In today's hyper-transparent, hyper-skeptical world, brands are in a constant state of performance—telling stories, signaling values, curating identities. But here's the rub: those performances shape reality. The way a company chooses to present itself—sincere or performative, strategic or self-expressive—will influence how it treats people, how it allocates resources, and how it responds when the spotlight moves on. So yes, corporations must be careful what they pretend to be. Because the story becomes the strategy. The persona becomes policy. And even if the motive is opportunistic, the consequences are real. Corporate authenticity is not about soul-searching or storytelling—it's about alignment and accountability. If a company's public commitments match its operational decisions, if it treats people decently even when no one's watching, if it chooses to mitigate harm instead of maximizing plausible deniability—then it's doing something right, regardless of how 'authentic' it feels. To be sure, it is preferable to do the right thing for the wrong reasons than the wrong thing for the right reasons! In short: don't ask whether a company is 'being itself.' Ask what kind of self it's choosing to perform—and whether that performance is making anyone's life better. In the end, the best brands aren't the ones that feel most authentic. They're the ones that behave responsibly, or at least manage to mitigate, if not avoid, bad behaviors relative to others.
Entrepreneur
a day ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why CEOs Must Lead With Their Face, Not Just Their Title
The most effective CEOs today build trust and brand value by leading with authenticity and personal conviction. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The public perception of a CEO's personal brand is paramount. People don't care about performative social media posts, and are suspicious when leaders always say "the right things". Instead, they want to know that the companies they invest in are led by authentic leaders who speak to their values, principles and vision for the future. This era calls for authentic human branding. The most trusted companies are led by executives who bring clarity and transparency to the forefront, and don't allow the necessity to look perfect to distract from the brand being real. These kinds of leaders breathe life into mission statements, anchor company values, and turn brands into movements. The most successful CEOs understand that people follow people, not statements. Investors, employees and customers all want to feel connected to a leader who can actually be connected to. A real face behind the brand. When that connection exists, loyalty deepens, talent is attracted and market value rises. The power of showing up CEOs today aren't just expected to lead their companies from a business standpoint; they're expected to represent a vision for where the world is going. And the leaders who embrace that role, rather than shy away from it, are seeing powerful returns. Satya Nadella at Microsoft. His leadership ushered in not only a new era of innovation but a deeply humanized culture shift. His personal brand, anchored in empathy and curiosity, became a beacon at Microsoft. Despite recent controversy, Satya has not tried to make the perfect statement; he remained true to his brand and called recent decisions "painful but necessary". It wasn't loud, but it was intentional. Or consider how Richard Branson's personality and values infused Virgin with a sense of adventure and purpose that no other brand could possibly replicate. His visibility wasn't accidental. It was strategic, and it turned his personal credibility into a global brand asset. These leaders didn't wait for others to define their narratives. They stepped into the role with them. They're real people with real stories, not actors who are playing a role. And in their authenticity, they're able to hold onto trust from their consumers. Related: How to Embrace Authenticity in a World Craving Transparency Your brand is your legacy A well-developed personal brand doesn't just support your company; it shapes your legacy. Some believe that legacy is measured in profit margins alone. But in truth, it's measured in the culture you cultivate, and the fruits that are bred from it. Your story as a CEO, when clearly told and consistently shared, becomes the connective tissue between your vision and the people who bring it to life. People are no longer just buying products or services. They're buying into leadership and ideas. They want to see the person, not just the numbers. Real people care about who's behind the curtain, and they want that person to be real, visible and principled. That's not pressure. That's potential. Visibility creates culture and confidence When CEOs lead with clarity and grace, they don't just create external alignment, but they also set the tone for their internal teams. A visible, vocal leader provides employees with a sense of direction and purpose. It's easier to rally around a mission when you know who's steering the ship and why they care. This is especially true for younger generations in the workforce. Sure, they're looking for salaries, but they also care about shared values. And when leaders communicate those values publicly, consistently and with sincerity, they transform the company into a place people want to belong, not just work. This visibility also creates confidence in times of uncertainty. In moments of crisis or transition, people look to leadership for guidance. And CEOs who are already present, trusted, and understood don't have to scramble to build the perfect statement. The culture they've built will speak for them. Conviction is a competitive advantage, while silence creates vulnerability Some CEOs hesitate to step into the spotlight because they fear backlash or missteps. But authenticity doesn't demand perfection; it demands clarity. You don't have to weigh in on every cultural flashpoint or chase every trend. What matters is choosing the moments that align with your values and showing up with consistency and conviction. The belief that "no comment" is safe is a myth. Always staying silent on societal or cultural issues doesn't communicate neutrality; it communicates disconnection, caution, or worse, cowardice. In an era where brands are personified by their executives, what you don't say can shape perception as much as what you do. Consider the corporate fallout during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement or Pride Month. Brands that tried to split the difference, releasing hollow statements or avoiding the topic altogether, were often called out for performative allyship or outright hypocrisy. Some never recovered their credibility. Contrast that with Nike, which embraced public risk by supporting Colin Kaepernick. The campaign sparked outrage and celebration in equal measure, but most importantly, it clearly told the market where Nike stood. That clarity did cost them. But more importantly, it deepened loyalty and sharpened brand identity. Related: Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever for Successful Entrepreneurs The opportunity ahead The bar for leadership has changed. The expectations are higher, but so is the payoff. Today's CEOs have the rare opportunity to be more than operators of a business. They can be authors of a movement and agents of change. And building that legacy starts with showing up, telling your story and sharing your perspective in a way that fuels authentic connection and inspires belief. Your personal brand isn't a distraction from leadership. It's the clearest expression of the most powerful brands today don't just sell, they stand for something.
