Authenticity
Authenticity is an important and necessary attribute in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. Developing skills to increase expression of authenticity is important.
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Within conversations regarding the attributes of individuals performing at their greatest potential, particularly those who positively impact those around them, is the importance of authenticity. This trait is variably described and includes various characteristics, such as presenting oneself in a fashion that provides a true representation of self, including values, intentions, and purpose. There are many benefits of expressing authenticity to the greatest extent possible. These include positive impacts on self and, particularly, those around us. While the importance of authenticity is undoubtedly true, what is less often discussed is the mechanism by which this the case and how we can leverage our biology towards expressing authenticity more consistently.
Prior to a more detailed consideration of how authenticity can be manifested, it is important to further identify what constitutes authenticity. While the understanding of this attribute has been variably described, there are many common elements. It is widely considered that authenticity is demonstrated through consistency in alignment of thoughts, words, and actions over time; depicting a true representation of self, including values, intentions, and purpose; and being present without any ulterior motives or hidden agendas. In essence, authenticity can be thought of as demonstrating a true representation and manifestation of that which we truly want, intend, and desire.
As can be understood from the above description, in order to be present with authenticity, it is important to first identify that which is of most importance. This includes values, purpose, and philosophy. These factors have been considered in more detail in past articles. When we are able to consistently be present and express these elements, it is evident to ourselves and those around us. Such a scenario provides, from the polyvagal informed lens, connection to self and others on account of the alignment between purpose, values, intentions, and goals with our inner thoughts and outward actions.
From another perspective, authenticity can be considered to be the result of alignment between purpose and biological state. Such alignment can, most likely, only truly and durably exist in the setting of a foundation of alignment between the elements described above. In situations in which such attributes emerge, there is no attempt to mislead or manipulate others or self. There is no unstated purpose or hidden motivation. From the perspective of self, there is consistency and alignment between psychology and physiology. From the polyvagal informed perspective, the expression of authenticity would seem to provide strong cues of safety and connection across the internal and relational pathways.
From the perspective of self, it would seem that authenticity provides the ability to align the important elements of purpose, values, and objectives with our thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we are able to express ourselves in this fashion, there are significant cues of safety and connection with self which emerge. In contrast, when we are not able to demonstrate authenticity, there can be discordance or dissonance between our purpose, values, and objectives in relation to our thoughts, feelings, and actions. This can provide cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat with the predictable shifts in biological state. As can be readily acknowledged from this consideration of authenticity from the perspective of self, when we express authenticity, we likely shift towards ventral vagal stabilized states. When we are not able to do so, we will experience shifts in our biological state towards sympathetic and dorsal vagal states.
When the consideration of authenticity is applied to interactions with others, the polyvagal informed perspective remains important. The expression of authenticity seems to promote increased ventral vagal activation within ourselves, as described above, which likely influences the biological state of those around us towards increased ventral vagal activation. This promotes feelings of safety and connection along the relational pathway. Conversely, when we are not able to express authenticity, the discordance is likely neurocepted by those around us as cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat. This would likely result in those around us either shifting towards sympathetic or dorsal vagal states or removing themselves from the source of these cues, namely the individual who is not expressing authenticity. This may explain why, for the most part, we are all more drawn towards and feel safer and more connected in the presence of others who display greater amounts of authenticity.
The natural extension of the above discussion relates to why the expression of authenticity is important. As described in several past articles, the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance is dependent upon ventral vagal stabilized states and the ability to flexibly shift biological states in response to cues along the three pathways, specifically internal, external, and relational. As described above, the expression of authenticity likely leads to cues of safety and connection, thereby promoting increased ventral vagal stabilization along the internal and relational pathways. For this reason, the expression of authenticity is relevant and important to the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance.
The manifestation of authenticity is particularly essential amongst individuals either working in teams or working towards the benefit of others. The reason for this is that in these contexts, the promotion of feelings of safety and connection amongst others is necessary in order to either assist teammates to be at their best or to provide the optimal environment for those around us to pursue improved health, wellbeing, or sustainable high performance. In addition, in order to help others be at their best, it is necessary for those around us to have trust in us, which is enhanced through authenticity.
In order to promote authenticity within ourselves and express it to the greatest extent possible, it is first necessary to identify the elements described above. We need to identify and understand our purpose, values, and objectives. This process has been outlined in past articles. Without a clear understanding of these elements, it is not possible to align our psychology and physiology with that which is of most importance to us.
The next step is to express these elements as consistently and truly as possible. This is facilitated through increased ventral vagal activation, which is optimized through the skills and strategies of the polyvagal informed toolbox. It is also important to recognize that when we inevitably shift towards sympathetic and dorsal vagal states, the inherent nature of these states, accompanying protective and survival psychology and physiology, and their respective traits will make it unlikely that we will express authenticity. It is, therefore, important to also develop nervous system flexibility such that we are able to shift our biological states towards ventral vagal stabilized states in the presence of cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat.
It is also important to acknowledge that we will not always be able to fully and consistently express authenticity. This is not our fault or a critique, rather it is the recognition that as humans, we will experiences situations in which we will shift into sympathetic and dorsal vagfal states and, therefore, will not always manifest our greatest extent of authenticity.
As can be recognized from this discussion, the expression of authenticity provides several important benefits in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. This is the case across the internal and relational pathways we experience. The manifestation of The Practices of the Healthcare Athlete provides a polyvagal informed paradigm through which to develop the necessary skills to live with increased authenticity. To learn more, including about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals and those in high demand domains, visit www.darindavidson.com.
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REFERNCE
Allison, M. The Play Zone: A Neurophysiological Approach to our Highest Performance. https://theplayzone.com.