Fake it till you make it?

Martin Scott ► ► CyberSecurity Consulting

January 13th, 2016

I'd like to hear others input on the "fake it, till you make it" motto. I'm not talking about deception, but more of over selling yourself and then filling any gaps as you go. Or maybe that is deception. I really have no idea. Whats considered too far or shady? Or is it just best to not go down that path?

Matt Filios Growth Catalyst

January 13th, 2016

Hi Martin,

I'm not a big fan of the "fake it 'til you make it" philosophy. It is generally easy to sniff that out and realize that someone is not upfront with reality, and they quickly lose much to all credibility. I'm more a big proponent of "act like you've been there before" mentality, which was taught to me ironically by my peewee football coach. Visualizing what it would mean to achieve success, or failure for that matter, and how you would act and react prepares you much more for what you have in front of you as a business leader, or really anyone in life. It's much more rewarding in the long run as well.

Hope that helps.

Sage Vann Building User Joy at Rooster Park

January 13th, 2016

I think the key here is not in the faking it part, but the 'making it'. Many times the internal emotional response to doing something grand or new is one of fear. Many popular neuroscience books discuss 'Impostor Syndrome', the feeling that strong, intelligent people often feel as if they are an impostor and that if everyone know how much they were 'making it up' or 'faking it' that they'd be laughed off. The truth is, that's where learning and growth happens. At the end of the day, you do it, do it, do it, and then one day, you realize that all the actions you have lined up in sequence along the way have empowered you to become the image of the person who was 'doing it' all along. I like Amy Cuddy's rephrasing of this old phrase, "Fake it, 'til you become it".

vu-nguyen Cofounder & CEO of Nilead informatics

July 6th, 2017

Hi Martin,

I think it depends on how you define this saying. For example, in software development, you have multi stages of building a product with the final stage being able to automate everything without any manual labor involved.

However, it's very costly in term of both time and money, and thus very risky, to try to reach this final stage at the beginning. So what you can do is you "fake" the automation stuffs. Lets use a naive example: on your agreement, you say you will backup the system for the customer every 24h. Ideally, you would do that automatically. However, building such a backup system can be costly for you at first and if you have no customer it will be a huge waste. So in the first months, you can have someone who actually perform the backup manually every 24h for you. Once you justify the benefits then you can actually go ahead with building the automation system.

In this way, you are not deceiving any one, you still deliver the exact service you promise promptly. I think Fake in till you make it work well in these situations?

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January 13th, 2016

Folks are asking if "Fake it till you make it" as an acceptable practice or approach and one we can, in good faith adopt for ourselves.

Never.

Its the biggest breach of trust anyone can ever commit.
Its is a recipe for disaster for you and those depending on you to get things done.

When people are depending on you, when time frames are important, when folks need your "results" and must depend on them as "reliable" so they can then go forward with their part of the process, task, faking it really hurts them.

There is no shame in admitting that you can't do something or don't know how and instead of faking it till you make it, own up to reality instead.

What you can do instead, after admitting that you are not the right person to "do the task" is offer to help find the person with the skills and experience to do what needs to be done.

Faking it or bluffing is easily seen by anyone who taps you for doing something. They know the basics and can see you bluffing or evading straight answers. When you fail, and you will was the adverse reputation you just created for yourself worth it!

Own up to yourself and be honest to yourself and even more so with those depending on you to get things done. Never try the fake it 'till you make it route to respect, success, gaining trust, promotions, clients, colleagues, customers because you have seriously adversely impacted those who trusted in you when it all shakes out.

Bushra Saman Javed Co-founder of IU Media and Publication society, Proactive Learner, Enthusiastic, Team oriented

April 22nd, 2017

For short term it might appears appealing, but if you want your venture stand in market for long life avoid it as much as you can.

Jeff Mills Global Vice President of Sales at iMerit Technology

January 13th, 2016

Also, follow up with the client you lost. They will be frustrated in 90 days if your competitor didn't deliver.

Josh Miller EVP, Country GM - Zapper USA

January 13th, 2016

Shocking candor is more powerful and more sustainable than faking it till you make it.

AJ Johnston Owner at Law Office of Ann E. Johnston

January 15th, 2016

"Fake it, until you make" is not referencing lying. It is referring to being assertive and confident, but, not aggressive, candid and decisive, but, not wishy-washy, and willing to learn and grow, not fudging. Yes, it stings when you lose to a competitor, but, you can look at yourself in the mirror without cringing. Lies will catch up with lairs. Maybe not today, but, it is going to catch them at some point.

David Still Founder of Start-ups, Entrepreneur, Financier and Advisor

January 13th, 2016

Never, ever fake it - at any time. It will ruin your business and professional reputation.

Ema Chuku Designer. Product Developer. Founder @ NuPad

January 13th, 2016

Deception should not in any way be in this motto.. In my view, "fake it til you make" is giving positive and true perception (answers) to the audience, hold back the negative ones, until you make it, then give full throttle.