I hate people who overshare, it makes everyone feel uncomfortable.

There are times when this can be tricky for me, my raison d’etre revolves around authenticity.
Last weekend as I sat around a table of smart, accomplished women, on stunning Hamilton Island, I thought “Damn it, I am going to have to be real here.” I admit it, I totally overshared.

The blames lies squarely with Karen James.  Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting the formidable KJ will be unsurprised. As the MC of Business Chicks, Movers and Breakers Conference, she asked the question that brought tears to my eyes. “What moment has had a significant impact on your life?” I knew immediately what my answer was.  As we went around the table, getting closer to my turn, I debated internally whether to be real, vulnerable and talk about something very personal or come up with a safe answer.

I preach authenticity

I push all my clients to be real, show the world who you are, not just what you do, take off that corporate mask. But man, it was hard, I didn’t want to be that pain in ass who tells virtual strangers way too much information — but I had to.

I felt shame and embarrassment but in the interests of practising what you preach (and within the safe confines of the Business Chicks community), I did it.
At various points of my life, I have berated myself for being too open but a magical thing happens when you do — people open up to you.

Over the next few days several people talked to me about what I had shared, because they could.  They trusted that I would listen, understand and maybe offer some guidance.

That is why I force myself to real, to push through the shame and embarrassment because maybe you can touch someone and make a difference to their life, their struggle.

So go on, be an oversharing pain in the ass, take off the mask, you never know who you might touch.