The authenticity challenge

Finalizing your plans for 2024? I challenge you to take the authenticity up a notch.

Author

Joe Michalowski
December 21, 2023

It’s the most wonderful chaotic time of the year. 

For a lot of reasons. But I’ll focus on just one — finalizing plans for Q1 and the year ahead.

I spent last week traveling from home in Massachusetts to our office in San Diego to nail things down for 2024. 

Seeing everyone? Great. Feeling good about where we stand for Q1? Awesome.

But man, let me tell you — I am exhausted and ready for the holiday break. So, I’ll keep this short.

The “do more with less” imperative is hitting our team hard. Bigger goals, smaller budgets, no headcount growth in sight.

We need to buckle down and decide what we will say “no” to. But it’s tough. There’s so much we want to do as a team (and so much we’re being asked to do).

That situation makes it easy for shortcut culture to creep in. Instead of saying no, you find a 50% version that doesn’t feel quite right but “gets the job done” to fly by. 

So, I’ve got a challenge for you as you finalize your plans and move into 2024. 

At every turn, ask yourself — are we prioritizing authenticity with this project? Or are we just trying to check a box?

There’s always going to be a push and pull. But do your best to encourage your team and your company to prioritize value to the audience and authenticity. 

Maybe you won’t get as many projects out the door. But your business will be better off.

— Joe Michalowski

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Thanks for reading. See you for the next one.

— Joe Michalowski

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