The Sunday BlindSpot | Issue #06

Why Speaking Your Mind (Even Imperfectly) Builds Real Trust

There’s a shift happening.

You can feel it in boardrooms, see it in social feeds, and hear it in everyday conversations. People are craving less polish and more personality. Less performance, more presence. We’re moving away from the carefully filtered version of ourselves and starting to value something that feels – finally – real.

It’s why I focused on authenticity in this week’s Sunday BlindSpot – because when we stop performing and start showing up as ourselves, people respond. Whether you’re leading a team, building a brand, or just trying to survive Monday’s meetings, one thing is clear: people are far more likely to trust you when you speak your mind.

The Age of Realness

Being authentic doesn’t mean being unfiltered or unprofessional. It’s not about rolling into meetings unprepared and calling it “just being real.” And it’s certainly not about blurting out every half-formed thought that crosses your mind.

What it is about is being honest. Sharing your thoughts – not just the ones you think people want to hear. Admitting when you got it wrong. Disagreeing – respectfully – when something doesn’t sit right with you. Being consistent in how you show up, even if that version isn’t flawless.

That kind of authenticity isn’t just refreshing – it’s trustworthy.

Why We Trust the Honest Ones (Even When We Disagree)

We’re seeing a growing number of high-profile figures succeed not in spite of their divisiveness – but because of their perceived authenticity.

Now, we don’t all have to agree with Donald Trump or Elon Musk (and many of us don’t), but we do see them. We know what they stand for. There’s very little second-guessing. And even when their views are controversial – or downright problematic – their consistency earns a kind of grudging trust: the sense that they’ll say what they believe and follow through, no matter how unpopular it might be.

You may not support Trump’s politics or Musk’s antics, but there’s no denying their clarity. They’ve built massive followings by doing exactly what more people today crave – speaking plainly, owning their views (however polarising), and acting in line with their convictions.

This isn’t an endorsement. It’s a reminder: clarity builds credibility. And credibility builds trust – even when people disagree with you.

Professionalism ≠ Perfection

There’s a long-standing myth that to be professional, you must be polished at all times. Immaculate. Scripted. Untouchable.

But the world is changing. Clients want to work with people, not personas. Teams want leaders who are clear and candid, not robotic. We’re learning that it’s possible to be prepared and human. Strategic and vulnerable. Capable and candid.

Authenticity doesn’t mean you stop caring about the quality of your work—it means you care more about doing it in a way that’s grounded in integrity.

My Own Shift Toward Showing Up Honestly

For years, I worked hard to blend in. I downplayed my vision impairment, hoping people would see me as capable – no caveats, no complications. I kept things tidy, polished, neutral. I avoided drawing attention to the parts of me that felt, well… different.

Then about ten years ago, something shifted.

A colleague – in what I assume was an attempt at humour – casually referred to me as “Blind Dave” during a filmed team event. It was caught on camera. And in that moment, I had a choice.

I could’ve taken it to HR – and to be honest, I’d have every right to. But I didn’t.

Instead, I embraced it.

Because the truth is, I am blind. It’s part of who I am. And pretending otherwise wasn’t doing anyone any favours – least of all me. Oddly enough, that moment gave me clarity. People remembered it. It opened conversations. It made colleagues feel more comfortable asking questions, understanding my perspective, and working with me more openly.

From that point on, I stopped hiding behind a curated version of professionalism. I showed up more honestly. I leaned into my differences. I stopped trying to be flawless – and started being real.

And life – and work – got better for it.

Being Real Is a Responsibility – Not a Shortcut

Let’s be clear – being authentic doesn’t mean lowering the bar. It’s not a free pass to be careless, combative, or underprepared. Authenticity doesn’t replace effort – it deepens it.

It asks more of us, not less. It challenges us to communicate with honesty. To lead with clarity. To speak up when something’s not right – and to do it constructively. To own our wins without ego, and our stumbles without excuses.

That’s the kind of professionalism the world needs more of. And it’s the version I’m committed to showing up with.

Choosing Real Over Perfect

So here I am – imperfect, unpolished in parts, but real. I speak my mind not because I always think I’m right, but because I believe it’s the right thing to do.

And since making that shift, I’ve built stronger relationships, had more honest conversations, and learned far more than I ever did when I was trying to be someone I wasn’t.

Authenticity isn’t a performance. It’s not a tactic. It’s a choice – to show up, own your story, and trust that who you are is worth being seen.

And honestly? I wouldn’t trade that for the polished version of me ever again.

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If any of this resonates, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve had your own shift toward showing up more honestly, or you’re exploring what authenticity looks like in your work, feel free to reach out. I’m always up for a real conversation.