Breaking the Rules: Why Authenticity Wins Over Manipulative Marketing
Marketing is broken. Written by a Marketing Expert.
For too long, we’ve been sold a formula—push urgency, create scarcity, manipulate emotions. But in our recent workshop, we tore that old playbook to shreds and laid out a new way forward—one that’s rooted in authenticity, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of human design.
This was co-hosted with Messaging Strategist and Emotional Intelligence Coach Tracy Johnson. Scroll to the bottom if you prefer a video replay rather than reading this written summary!
Together we have over 30 years experience in marketing, and are now helping drive a shift in the way solopreneurs and small businesses market themselves.
The Big Lie About Marketing
The traditional marketing world tells us that success comes from hacking psychology—triggering fear, leveraging ‘pain points’, and manufacturing urgency. But here’s the truth: People are exhausted. They’re craving connection, not coercion.
I know this firsthand. I’ve experienced buyer’s remorse after being pressured into signing up for programs that, deep down, I knew weren’t right for me. And it wasn’t just from the stereotypical ‘bro marketers’—it was often women using the same high-pressure tactics dressed up in empowerment language. Each time, I walked away feeling duped, like my instincts had been overridden by someone else’s urgency.
What if the key to thriving wasn’t about selling harder but about showing up more honestly? What if marketing felt effortless because it was simply an extension of who you are? That’s exactly what we unpacked in this transformative workshop on Friday (replay below).
The Shift: From Manipulation to Authentic Connection
Emotional Intelligence Over Fear-Based Tactics
Marketing isn’t about tricking people into buying—it’s about understanding them. We explored how emotional intelligence allows us to build relationships that last, rather than one-time transactions.
Human Design as a Guide
Human Design is your personal roadmap for how you’re built to operate in the world—how you make decisions, interact with others, and create success without fighting against your natural energy. It’s a mix of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and quantum physics, giving you a custom strategy for how to work with yourself instead of following rules that were never meant for you. If the usual self-help advice has felt like a bad fit, it’s because it is—Human Design shows you why.
As a 6/2 profile in Human Design, known as the ‘Role Model’, authenticity is everything for me. My natural instinct is to lead by example, not by force. But for the longest time, I struggled with sales because I had internalised the belief that selling meant manipulation. This led to sales trauma—where I avoided selling altogether rather than risk making someone feel the way I had felt when I was pressured into a purchase.
Instead of squeezing yourself into a marketing mould that doesn’t fit, we introduced Human Design as a way to align your strategy with your natural strengths. When you market in a way that reflects your unique energy, it stops feeling like a hustle and starts feeling like flow.
Redefining Success on Your Terms
Chasing financial metrics alone leads to burnout. True success is a mix of fulfillment, joy, and alignment with your deeper purpose. We encouraged attendees to redefine what winning looks like for them and to take full ownership of their journey.
The Breakthroughs That Changed Everything
The Real Reason You’re Stuck in Marketing
Most entrepreneurs struggle because they’re copying strategies that weren’t built for them. We challenged attendees to break the mold, step into their leadership, and trust their own instincts instead of following outdated blueprints.
Personal Alignment Examples via our Human Design
Tracy’s Journey - some specific examples:
1. “Am I on the right path combining Emotional Intelligence with my messaging strategy skills?”
The answer from Her HD Chart : ‘Purpose (Gate 62)’
“The Gift of Precision emerges as the awareness that true clarity in communication requires more than just intellectual accuracy; it demands a careful choice of words that can convey the subtleties and nuances of complex ideas and emotions.”
Essentially- yes she really is! This was really affirming for her when she first saw it!
2. “Am I supporting myself best by working from home- should I be going to coworking spaces to be more productive?!”
The answer from Her HD Chart : Internal Markets Environment type
“You will thrive in an environment in which you can have a home office, take papers home from work to finish in the comfort of your home or even run your small business from home. Pay attention to details and curate the space to suit you.”
Essentially - yes it’s best for her to work at home!
3. “Is it imposter syndrome that I’m not doing this or is this actually just not aligned for me?”
The answer from Her HD Chart : Generator Profile 5/1
“When you follow your gut and focus on what excites you, you can make a big impact. By setting clear boundaries and trusting your intuition, you can help others in a way that feels right for you.”
Essentially- when she was trying to force herself to do things she felt were not aligned, they were falling flat -she needed to listen to her gut instinct.
My Journey- Specific Examples from my Chart:
1. “Am I on the right path tapping into my own experience going through cancer and debt to show people you can alchemise the pain into power and wisdom?”
The answer from my HD Chart: ‘How I Evolve - Gate 47’
“...A transformative path that leads from the depths of oppression to the heights of transfiguration. By embracing the challenges of our past as opportunities for profound growth and alchemy, we unlock the gift of transmutation, allowing our true essence to shine forth.”
Essentially - this is written in my chart in a few places that I’m meant to alchemise crappy experiences into wisdom and share for others.
2. “Why can’t I seem to focus at home and just get things done. Why do I feel I need to be talking things through with someone before taking action?”
The answer from my HD Chart: Split Definition and Environment type = Kitchens (wet)
“Gather with the people that inspire you + create. It’s vital to your well-being. Check out the new hot spot! Work in a fertile space with multiple creative disciplines, inspiration + accessibility. Host a club associated with your interests or weekly dinner. Split definition also means people who bridge your split help you process your feelings and thoughts.”
This was such a relief when I read it and realised working from home all the time just doesn’t work for me!
3. “Why can’t I seem to focus on one thing, one project, one modality? Why do I always feel like I need to mix things up? Perhaps I am self-sabotaging?”
The answer from my HD Chart: Gate 64 & Gate 47 - The Alchemist
“Gate 64 represents the ability to make sense of chaos—much like how I pull together different modalities into something cohesive and impactful.”
“Manifesting Generators need variety.”
“Gate 47 - My Conscious Earth - ‘The Alchemist’ is who I am at a core essence.”
This was also a great relief to understand that my habit of combining different modalities, different things together in a creative way is literally at the core of my design!
Hopefully these specific examples show how affirming your chart can be and how it can give you nudges to create an aligned business - not just the way you market but also the format of the services you offer.
Right now you can get some free insights into your chart in my subscriber chat- see the ‘Rewilding with Human Design’ thread:
Why Psychology and Marketing Must Work Together
People don’t buy products—they buy emotions, solutions, and transformations. When you understand the psychological drivers behind decision-making, you can craft messages that resonate deeply, without resorting to manipulation.
The biggest revelation from this workshop? Marketing doesn’t have to be a battle.
When you trust yourself, embrace your strengths, and connect on a human level, everything changes.
We’re done with outdated tactics. It’s time for a marketing revolution—one where authenticity leads, connection wins, and success is built on alignment, not manipulation.
Are you in? Step forward, take action, and own your message with confidence.
Ready to break the rules of traditional marketing? Join our 4-week MiniMind for a no-BS, high-impact recalibration—personal report, hands-on guidance from me & Tracy, and a strategy that actually fits your energy.
Watch the Replay here:
If you’d like to get started on your Journey to creating more aligned marketing, you can always start with a reading