VanderUnicorn Spotlight: Chantel McHenry is Authentic

With over 30,000 interviews to our name, Vanderbloemen has mastered the art of identifying the best. It comes down to 12 data-driven traits that set the greatest workers apart as “Unicorns.” These traits are covered in-depth in William Vanderbloemen’s new book Be the Unicorn. 

But even the best of the best aren’t expected to master all 12 traits simultaneously. Excellence in just one of these traits can qualify a candidate for a vital role on your team. We believe each member of our team of experts exemplifies these traits in various ways, and we’ve chosen one person to highlight how each trait translates in the workplace.

Meet our Authentic VanderUnicorn, Chantel McHenry

In Be the Unicorn, an authentic person is defined as someone who has nothing to hide, especially in a digital world where truth is easily revealed. Authenticity can be difficult to find, but once you recognize it, you’ve found a trustworthy employee.

One of the most authentic people on the Vanderbloemen team is without a doubt Chantel McHenry, one of our Executive Search Consultants.

“Being authentic gives you the permission to be real even when it goes against the grain,” Chantel says.

All things to all people -- authentically 

To understand authenticity as Chantel does, you need to know what authenticity is not.

Being authentic does not mean acting exactly the same all the time. Different crowds and different settings warrant various behaviors and levels of energy. Chantel calls it “Code-switching.” 

“This does not mean you are not being authentic to who you are,” Chantel says. “It’s like what the apostle Paul said about becoming all things to all people that you might win them to Christ."

Authenticity comes with a consistent character when everything else changes. It boils down to staying true to your personal values, morals, and how you want to interact with others.

Don't confuse stubbornness or pride with authenticity 

One way authenticity can go awry is when people’s sense of pride in themselves gets mislabeled as authenticity. Instead, Chantel says, authenticity requires humility.

“When you show up in your authentic self in a non-judgmental way, people respect your truth and your positions even when they don’t agree,” she says. “It has also helped me to learn and grow in areas where my thoughts were more narrow and less accepting.”

The result of Chantel's authenticity, she says, is a diverse circle of friends and colleagues representing many views and opinions, overflowing with mutual respect. This is the sort of team a ministry needs, and Chantel’s life is a perfect example of why you need The Authentic on your team.

Find your unicorn

We’re so blessed to have unicorns on our team like Chantel, and we want to equip your team with candidates just like her. To start the search for your own top talent, get in touch today.

To learn more about the 12 traits the best employees share, pre-order Be the Unicorn for yourself, a friend, or even your whole team. Buying in bulk can save you up to 47% off the cover price, plus it comes with bonus content and other extra perks. 

Finally, if you’d like to assess the strengths of your own team, check out the Vander Index, our new tool that's a companion to Be the Unicorn, based on our years of data collection and experience.