Authenticity, Empathy, and Embracing Growth

Welcome to my newsletter!

This week's focus:

Why ‘fake it till you make it’ is bad advice – authenticity builds trust 

Master the art of empathy – connect through understanding 

Put yourself out there – embrace growth opportunities 

Why ‘fake it till you make it’ is bad advice 

We’ve all heard the phrase “fake it till you make it,” but let’s be honest – it’s misleading advice. 

When you’re faking it, you’re not just fooling others; you’re fooling yourself. 

Instead of building real skills and confidence, you’re wasting energy maintaining a false front. 

This creates more insecurity because deep down, you know you’re not where you need to be. 

It’s a shaky foundation that can collapse at any moment. 

In recruitment, authenticity is essential. 

Clients and candidates can easily sense when someone isn’t being genuine. 

If you pretend to have expertise you don’t, you risk damaging your reputation and losing trust. 

Real success comes from being honest about where you are, embracing what you still need to learn, and working hard to improve. 

Admitting when you don’t have all the answers shows self-awareness, not weakness. 

It’s much better to say, “I’m working on this,” than to bluff and hope no one notices. 

Confidence should be earned, not faked. 

So, let go of the idea of quick fixes. 

Invest in your own growth, and let your experience speak for itself. 

That’s how you truly make it. 

Master the art of empathy 

Empathy is one of the most underrated skills in business. 

Understanding people – whether they’re candidates, clients, or colleagues – sets the best leaders apart from the rest. 

People want to feel heard and understood. 

In recruitment, it’s not just about placing candidates in jobs; it’s about recognising what drives them, what they care about, and what keeps them up at night. 

The same goes for your clients. 

They’re not just looking for bodies to fill roles. 

They want someone who truly gets the challenges they’re facing and can offer solutions that work for their business. 

Building this level of understanding starts with active listening. 

I’m not talking about nodding along and waiting for your turn to speak. 

I mean actually absorbing what the other person is saying and responding with their needs in mind. 

It's about putting yourself in their shoes – not just sympathising, but showing you really get it. 

When you approach conversations with empathy, you’ll find people are more open, and relationships are stronger. 

It’s a skill that doesn’t just improve your business results – it makes you a better leader and team player. 

People trust those who take the time to understand them, and in a competitive market, that’s often the edge you need.