Finding My Authentic Professional Self

A Keynote Revelation in a Far Away Place.

As I stood on that grand stage, bathed in the spotlight's glow, I felt a whirlwind of emotions. The audience's eyes were fixed on me, eager to hear what I had to say about who I am not. Little did I know that in that moment, I would embark on a journey of self-discovery that would forever change my professional life.

The occasion was a keynote speech in Brazil at the IT Summit for the Banrisul bank. Jorge, the head of technology had invited me for the second time to share my views on Innovation and how Silicon Valley was dominating that field globally. It was an opportunity that many professionals dream of.

I had spent weeks preparing, crafting the perfect narrative about my career, achievements, and experiences. They wanted to hear about innovation and I was going to talk about innovation. However, as I began to put down my thoughts, something unexpected happened. Instead of coming in as the Messiah of Innovation and showcasing my expertise, I started wanting to share stories of moments when people perception was incorrect. About technology, about Silicon Valley, about me. Like an impostor syndrome on steroids.

And on the day of the keynote, it was as if my authentic self had taken control of the stage.

(You can watch the video here if you are brave enough for 20 minutes of just me talking.)

The audience leaned in, hopefully captivated by my vulnerability and honesty. I told them I was “a fraud” well, not in these words but they wanted to hear from an innovator and I was just an integrator. I told them that I was the “token guy from Silicon Valley because all tech conferences need one” but that Silicon Valley was not all about being right all the times.

They listened intently as I recounted instances where I had tried to fit into molds that weren't meant for me, about a career path that was not as planned as it looked like or observing events that were not that stunning in retrospect. Mostly re-assessing a lot of elements supposed to be the highlights of the keynote.

And then it happened – the "aha" moment. As I shared these stories, starting to drop these observations I had put down on slides, the flow became more conversational. I realized that the audience wasn't judging me; they were nodding in agreement. They could relate to the struggle of trying to conform to others' expectations, of pretending to be someone they weren't, all in the pursuit of professional success. Re-watching that video, I can see on the faces of the panelists behind me that they were also having that moment of realization. While I wanted to be a bit provocative, I didn’t realize I was also doing some healing.

In that moment, the tension that had built up inside me for years began to dissipate. I chuckled a couple of times, crack up jokes with the translating team (and acknowledge them to the audience so they knew they were appreciated as much as me talking non-sense), and the audience joined in, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared understanding. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I had finally found the courage to be myself, flaws and all.

As my keynote continued, I shifted the focus from who I am not to who I truly am. I talked about my passions, my values, and the unique perspective I bring to my work. The audience's response was incredible. I hope they appreciated my authenticity, and many approached me afterward to share their own stories. There is even a moment in my keynote when I talked about something that was demonstrated the morning of the conference. In short, it was the first decentralized money transfer on Blockchain done by a central bank in the world. In 2018! It was a 100% initiative from Brazil. No Silicon Valley involved, just doing something for themselves. Being authentic to their capacities. And it was amazing. It also gave me the strength to go along with my planned takedown of Silicon Valley enamourement and my own false self-importance.

From that day forward, I embraced my authentic professional self without reservation. I stopped trying to fit into predefined roles and instead started forging my own path, one that reflected my true passions and values. The impact was transformative, not just on my career but also on my overall happiness and fulfillment.

So, what did I learn from that transformative keynote? I discovered that sometimes, the most profound insights come when you least expect them. By sharing my journey of self-discovery on that stage, I not only connected with the audience but also uncovered my own authenticity. It was a reminder that being true to ourselves is not just a personal endeavor; it can also be the key to professional success and fulfillment.

It took more work and it’s a never-ending journey still ongoing. I worked with friends and past colleagues who specialized in uncovering your true being through exercises and introspection. It was brutal, like tearing down the last bastion of resistance in me to accept the change I was going through (let’s not call it a brand but it’s a similar concept. DM me if you want their info).

This was also the start to find the will to finally complete that book which was stored in the back of my brain. It was the beginning of the true “Delivery Man”.

As I continue on my professional journey, I carry that "aha" moment with me as a reminder that authenticity is a powerful tool, one that can inspire and resonate with others. So, don't be afraid to be your true self, both on and off the stage – you never know who you might inspire along the way.