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Happy Businessman

essentials of

APPARENT

​SINCERITY

Welcome to Module 3

At the end of this session, you will be able to identify the 3 key principles of Apparent Sincerity in the workplace environment.

Transparency

Open to share your thoughts, ideas and objectives

Appearing sincere means not withholding your thoughts and feelings. It is about conveying and behaving in accordance to feelings, thoughts, beliefs and desires. Showing authenticity and genuineness. Not faking nor holding back the truth.

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However, this needs to communicated appropriately so that it would not back fire especially when dealing with sensitive issue.

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​How could you  communicate transparency appropriately?

 

  1. Frame the context.

  2. State the facts.

  3. Express your openness to different opinion and ask for permission to share your honest opinion.

  4. Invite response.

  5. ​Stay objective.

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In situations where you cannot reveal everything, be honest to let the other party know that you are not able to disclose. Offer alternatives where available.

Consistency

Be true to your word

For people to trust your sincerity, it needs to be consistent. Your actions and behaviour are consistent to your words. Your words are consistent to your thoughts and feelings.

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Consistency can be seen in the immediate instance. It can also be observed over time.

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How could you demonstrate Consistency in a VUCA world when our environment is volatile, uncertain, changing and ambiguous?

 

  1. ​Exercise due diligence before communicating.

  2. Always speak from your heart, not just from your head. Convey from your passion and conviction. Be consistent to your personal values and principle.

  3. Take courage that there is no one correct answer or solution in a VUCA world. 

  4. Take note of what you have communicated and follow-through.

Active Listening

Put aside judgement to fully focus on the person

Apparent Sincerity is easily judged based on body language. The most obvious is eye contact. Would you trust someone who communicates without maintaining eye contact? Would you trust someone who misses your point and speaks to his or her agenda without addressing yours?​

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Active Listening is essential in demonstrating Apparent Sincerity. 

 

Click here to watch a 2 mins YouTube video to learn more about Active Listening.

 

How do you demonstrate Active Listening without sacrificing your agenda?

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  1. Suspend your judgement. Be curious. Seek first to understand the person's concerns. Focus to listen for key words. Ask questions on the key words to clarify. Paraphrase and summarise to confirm your understanding. 

  2. Share your agenda and invite the person to ask questions. 

  3. Look for synergy and alignment where possible.

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Back to Active Listening

​WHAT RESEARCHERS SAY

​about Apparent Sincerity

VENZ AND GARDINER (2017)

"Apparent Sincerity has been found in previous research to be significantly related to career and life satisfaction as well as total promotion."

Reflection Time

"Sincerity is always subject to proof."

~ John F. Kennedy

How do you fare against the 3 principles of Apparent Sincerity?

​Take 10 minutes to reflect and plan your next course of action.

Completed your Reflection?

Click this button to proceed to next module.

Additional resources

Watch this 2-minute youtube video to learn more about active listening.

Video Active Listening
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