I watched the Bachelorette with my wife last night. We enjoy getting each other’s perspective on the various participants and of course guessing who will or will not get a rose. Like most of you, I appreciate the authenticity of the emotions and behaviors and enjoy the “transparency” of the alone moments when we hear inner thoughts or how a couple behaves on their own. (Yes, I am fully aware that the producers are “managing” much of this dynamic). This demand on the part of consumers for authenticity and transparency shows up everywhere. In a very real way with the impact of technology, digital communications and social media, companies and their leaders really have no choice but to be more transparent. And as companies continue to develop strategies to share information, insight, thinking, etc., with their customers one of the distinguishing characteristics will be are they doing it because they have to or because they want to…and that matters in how consumers, as well as employees will judge the value you place on authenticity. We already know it matters a lot to consumers.