Hypocrisy

"If you care about the environment, like we do, you'll choose not to have your towels laundered."

After my first trip aboard Southwest Airlines I landed in Las Vegas for a Chiropractic Convention yesterday. (Really...there is a convention)

Hoping aboard the hotel shuttle we drove down the infamous strip. It's quite a site...going by the Mandalay Bay, New York, Bellagio, and Steve Wynn's new place. Lights, lights, lights, and fountains everywhere.

Arriving at the Las Vegas Hilton I checked-in and made my way through a maze of lights and ringing slot machines. My right hand pulling my luggage and my left gripping a bulging catalog of coupons and advertisements I'd been given when checking-in.

Once in my room on the 26th floor I opened the curtains and looked across at the Stratosphere, Rio and Palms casino's glowing in the distance. It's no surprise Las Vegas is one of the few land marks readly identifiable from space at night.

That's when I noticed the sign. It was perched next to the sink.

Paraphrased it read: "We here at the Hilton care about the environment. If you care about he environment, like we do, you'll choose not to have your towels laundered each day of your visit. Together we can help make this world a better place."

Now don't get me wrong. I think it's a great idea, but come on! That note couldn't have been more ironic. There was no congruency between the water conservation request and the rest of the hotel's energy expending lights, signs and machines.

As a business or single individual when we lack authenticity between what we say and what we do it creates skepticism in others. Whether it's a child not trusting his father or a customer guarded against making a purchase, people sense in congruency. They may not be able to pinpoint it but intuitively they will know "something is not quite right."

Within the last month I was approached by a MLM to buy a home air purifier kit. She raved about the health benefits of clean air.

I didn't buy the kit. In fact, I didn't even look at it. Why? Because I know that the sales woman is a regular smoker. Now, how could I take someone serious about the benefits of clean air that routinely fills her lungs with carcinogens?

Each of us has incongruent and authentic aspects of our lives and/or businesses. Take a moment and ask yourself how you can better walk your talk. It may be through changing your walk (actions) or by changing what you say (talk).

Jason C. Steinle

www.uploadexperience.com and www.jasonsteinle.com

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