The Key to Success is Sincerity

Public relations is a game of creating and sustaining perceptions. And in life, one of the most important attributes a person can have is "sincerity." Coming across as genuine, real, caring: "I feel your pain."

But let's face it, who can do that every day? Unless you're the Buddha, it's a grind!

That's why one of my favorite saying is this:

"The key to success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made."
Go ahead, have a good laugh. Now, wipe that grin off your face and think about it for a minute. Do people really care if you're being sincere or faking it? If you nail it, how can they tell the difference?

I first heard the quote uttered by legendary New York talk show host Joe Franklin in an interview on the very first "This American Life," who claimed that he had coined it. In getting ready to do this blog post, I found a reference to a French dramatist, Jean Giraudoux, who is said to have been the originator.

In any case, it's a great line, and one that resonates for PR.