Authenticity is a crucial factor in building successful and meaningful business relationships. However, determining whether a person or organization is genuinely aligned with their stated values can be challenging. Here are seven fair, meaningful, and effective ways to test the authenticity of others in business environments.
- Observe Consistency Over Time
Authentic individuals and businesses remain consistent in their words, actions, and values across different situations.
Test: Pay attention to how they communicate and behave across various contexts—meetings, emails, public statements, and informal conversations. Do they align with their stated values and commitments?
- Assess Their Reactions in Difficult Situations
True character is revealed in times of stress, disagreement, or setbacks.
Test: Observe how they handle challenges—do they take accountability, communicate transparently, and stick to their principles, or do they shift blame, become evasive, or contradict previous statements?
- Look for Alignment Between Words and Actions
Authentic people and businesses follow through on their promises.
Test: If someone claims to prioritize collaboration, do they engage in meaningful partnerships? If they emphasize sustainability, do their business practices reflect it? Track past commitments versus actual follow-through.
- Gauge Their Willingness to Be Vulnerable
Authenticity often comes with humility and a willingness to admit mistakes or uncertainties.
Test: When faced with a knowledge gap or error, do they acknowledge it and seek solutions, or do they deflect and act defensively? Those who are open about their learning process tend to be more authentic.
- Evaluate Their Intentions with Small Requests
Genuine individuals act with integrity, even in small matters.
Test: Start with a minor commitment—such as following up on a conversation or sharing a resource. If they fail to follow through, it may indicate a lack of sincerity in their larger commitments as well.
- Observe Their Treatment of Others
How people interact with colleagues, employees, and service providers reveals their true nature.
Test: Watch how they treat individuals who aren’t in a position of power—receptionists, assistants, junior staff, or vendors. Authentic people show respect and fairness to everyone, not just those who can benefit them.
- Ask Thoughtful Questions and Listen to Their Responses
Authentic individuals can articulate their values and decisions with clarity.
Test: Ask them direct yet open-ended questions like:
- “What drives you in your business?”
- “How do you handle ethical dilemmas?”
- “Can you share an example of a time when you had to make a difficult but values-driven decision?”
Those who struggle to answer or give vague, rehearsed responses may lack authenticity, whereas genuine individuals will provide thoughtful, experience-backed answers.
Final Thoughts
Testing authenticity in business relationships is about ensuring that partnerships are built on trust, integrity, and shared values. By using these seven methods, you can fairly assess whether individuals and organizations truly align with their stated principles, leading to more meaningful and successful business experiences.
