Volume 5: Authentic You Trialled - The Mob Are Pleased
“This is not a workshop about learning — it’s an experience about remembering.”
G’day.
I hope you enjoyed my last newsletter.
Figured I’d type this one.
It’s a long one, so remember to take eye breaks away from the screen, okay Brenda - I am talking to you.
For maximum reading experience, take five deep breaths, then click this and listen to what I’m listening to as I type.
Starting from Xero
I’m proud to announce that Authentic You trialled on Friday 3rd October in Sydney with 11 participants, hosted in Xero’s headquarters.
Ngany koort djerepiny. Koomba koomba koort.
I am grateful - these are good people.
Authentic You has been my passion project (and continues to be).
A full-day experience I’ve been quietly crafting for ten months now.
As Acknowledge This! sustains me, Authentic You drives me.
The Setting
We begin, like any other tale, in the corporate badlands of modern tech.
Bureaucracy reigns supreme, and the holy Algorithm demands sacrifices of attention daily to feed the Dragon.
The Warlocks of the Silicon Valley Nation and the Tech Priests of the IT Realms squabble over the one thing that can never truly be held: power.
But where does power come from?
“From within,” whispers the trees.
From Xero came eleven - Pilgrims of the Machine, pioneers of culture, walking with smiles and curiosity into the unknown.
They began The First Walk.
Why I Created Authentic You
After five years of running Acknowledge This!, I realised something:
People don’t actually want to learn how to do an Acknowledgement of Country.
What they really want... is permission to be authentic.
Authenticity isn’t a skill you acquire.
It’s a state of being you return to.
The only person who can give you the permission to be yourself - is yourself.
That’s the point.
I created Authentic You to show you, yourself.
To remind you that you are the culture, and that Country is the mirror.
(Country teaches.)
You are named.
You walk on Country.
And you return in Ceremony.
What’s Next?
I’ll be running a few more Authentic You trials before officially launching next year.
A few clients are already in my sights - all of whom I’ve spoken to and who are considering next steps.
Do you reckon your organisation might be interested?
What I Need
A full day (9am–3pm)
A minimum of 20 people
A boardroom
A slice of Country nearby
What You Receive
A name
A quest
An experience
Something you forgot you had all along
Calling the Curious
If you’re in Boorloo, I’m now opening my doors to talk about this.
Even if you’re just curious, I’d love to share it with you in person.
If you’re like me - someone who prefers a conversation over coffee or a beer - I’m on Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley, and the first round is on me.
You can also visit the new Authentic You page on my website to read more (on the outside, at least).
If you or your organisation would like to be part of the next trial, reach out. I’d love to hear how I can be of support.
Gratitude
Xero’s culture is elite - supportive, genuine, trustworthy.
To Suzanne - those of you who’ve followed me for a while will know how much I value her.
We had the pleasure of her joining us during the first half of the trial, which was much welcomed and appreciated.
We’ve long struggled to define our relationship - mentor, friend, sister, kin - but whatever it is, it’s important.
Having Suzanne present at the trial, lending her wisdom and support, meant a great deal.
Thank you, Suzanne.
The Pilgrims of the First Walk
RAP Group:
Ash – Kaivenlyn the Devoted
Matt – Marvensol the Dreamer
Tu – Karvendren the Oracle
Jeff – Tervenkor the Sage
Tina – Tervensol the Disruptor
Libby – Kaitakor the Kindred
Executive Leaders / Managers / Officers:
Angad – Kaivenkor the Sentinel
Luis – Kaivenkor the Honest
Sarah – Kairakor the Unshakable
Charlie – Kaivensol the Catalyst
Rob – Tervensol the Builder
A highlight of the day
It seems my brother - the one who wants to be me, just so happened to get ’stuck’ at the airport in Sydney to Perth on the way back from New Zealand with his wife - on the exact same day as the trial. How convenient! He just so happened to join me, during the section of the workshop where the Pilgrims were on their merry quests. We then hit the town afterwards and celebrated my roaring success. He took notes. Since then he got a promotion at the school he teaches at (now "Acting Deputy Principal" or something idk).
You’re welcome, Mitchell!
Until next time, hope you all have a lovely day, week, month.
Much love,
Rhys