I have a confession to make.

I love heavy metal and am a complete metal head.

There, I said it.

Music is something that I love and it is not because I am a musician or can play any instrument or even hold any type of a beat.

I think the fact that I have no rhythm is one of the reasons I am so drawn to music, because I am in complete awe of what some musicians can do.

Back in high school, a friend of mine introduced me to the band KORN.

It is safe to say that I have been obsessed ever since.

There is no band that sounds like KORN and their music has a ton of energy….

Which I love.

I have seen them in concert seven times now and I can honestly say that they blow my mind with their musical and entertaining abilities every single time I go.

Last night, I went to their 20th anniversary show for their album, “Follow The Leader” and it was hands-down the best show I have ever seen them play.

Their lead singer, Jonathan Davis really drives the band and has a stage presence that is unexplainable.

Last night was different for Jonathan though.

It was the first show he played since the passing of his wife.

Now, I am guessing most of you reading this don’t know who KORN is or who Jonathan Davis is, but he is an incredibly emotional singer as is.

Last night, Jonathan pulled the entire audience even closer.

The man was in tears after playing a song that he said was his wife’s favorite.

It was incredibly powerful and an excellent display of vulnerability.

Here is a grown man, lead singer of a heavy metal band, breaking down and crying in front of his audience.

He was 100% authentic and provided an experience for his fans that I don’t think can be matched.

I can’t even imagine how he felt going out there to perform but he shared something with his audience that I think most are afraid to.

He was raw, authentic and clearly has and always will allow his music to get him through his pain.

Those that follow KORN and Jonathan Davis know this about him.

I think a lot can be learned from this.

As business owners, we often fear putting our authentic self out there because of fear of failure and rejection.

We are afraid to be vulnerable because of what the repercussions might be.

The truth is, if we want to be an authority to our market we need to be both authentic and vulnerable.

This brings our audience closer and builds a deep connection with them.

In today’s society, there are so many people that put on a front and are fake.

Your audience will appreciate and value you more if you can show up and be 100% authentic and vulnerable.

Your actions of being authentic and vulnerable will give your audience the permission to do the same.

And that is the greatest gift you can give someone.

The permission to be their 100% authentic, true self

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