I believe it was Aesop who first documented the phrase, “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” After delivering my first dynamic presentation on personal branding this past weekend, I discovered that it truly is better to be the sheep (or the wolf). It’s not worth the energy or effort and truly causes more harm than good to be the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

There’s something special about appearing to be who you truly are. There are many people who wake up every morning and put on their sheep’s costume. It often takes the true sheep a few interactions to sniff out the wolves and trot in the other direction.

There is only one you and no one else can be you, so you might as well try to present your best self to the world every day; and if you’re a wolf, there’s no point in putting on a sheep’s costume because we can still sniff you out.

Decide who you are and either leave your home every day as the wolf or the sheep, but don’t put on a costume.