Authentic Leadership

To understand what makes authentic leadership, we should first define what authenticity means.

Authenticity can be defined as you are true to your own personality, values, and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you are under to act otherwise. You are honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideals, and actions align.

What makes an authentic leadership?

Overview:

Authentic leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes the leader's genuine and transparent character, and the alignment of their values with their actions. Authentic leadership can benefit for both leaders and their organizations, including increased trust, engagement, resilience, decision-making, nurture inclusive and diverse workforce, and performance.

Leaders who are not authentic may struggle to build a positive and productive work environment, which can negatively impact the success of the organization. In 2019, The Harvard Business Review found that 75% of employees want to experience more authenticity at work. In the last few years of challenging times with the Global pandemic, employees look to the leadership for guidance and direction to help ease the stress from work and life. It is more important than ever; leaders must continue to lead their organizations with authenticity.

Why is being authentic important for a leader?

Authentic leadership fosters trust, respect, and credibility with those they lead. Authentic leaders inspire their followers by leading from a place of honesty and transparency, which helps to build strong relationships and foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture. They also create a psychologically safe environment. It embraces and encourages Employees’ creativity; innovation thrives that increases revenue as a result.

In the contrary, leaders who are not authentic may.

1)     create a toxic work environment and reduce employee morale.

2)     lead to poor communication and collaboration

3)     make choices that are not aligned with the organization's values and goals, which can lead to confusion and a lack of direction, results in low performance.

What are the benefits of authentic leadership?

1) Increased trust and credibility: Authentic leaders are perceived as more trustworthy and credible because they are honest and transparent about their intentions and values.

2) Improved employee engagement: Authentic leaders create a positive and supportive work environment that encourages open communication and collaboration, which can increase employee engagement and motivation.

3) Greater resilience: Authentic leaders are better able to navigate challenges and setbacks because they have a strong sense of self-awareness and an understanding of their own values and priorities.

4) Enhanced decision-making: Authentic leaders are better able to make effective decisions because they are guided by their values and principles rather than external pressures or influences.

5) Improved organizational performance: Authentic leadership can lead to improved organizational performance because it creates a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability that supports innovation and growth.

 What might prevent leaders being authentic?

1.) Fear of Vulnerability: Many leaders may fear being vulnerable because they believe it could make them appear weak or incompetent. As a result, they may hide their true feelings or thoughts, which can create a facade of authenticity that does not reflect their true selves.

2) Pressure to Conform: Leaders may feel pressure to conform to the expectations of their organization or their peers. This pressure can lead to them adopting a persona that does not align with their values or beliefs, leading to a lack of authenticity.

3) Lack of Self-Awareness: Some leaders may lack self-awareness, which can make it difficult for them to recognize their own values, beliefs, and emotions. Without this awareness, it can be challenging to lead with authenticity.

4) Prioritizing Image Over Substance: In some cases, leaders may prioritize their image over substance, leading them to focus more on how they are perceived rather than being true to their beliefs and values.

5) Cultural and Social Norms: Cultural and social norms can also play a role in preventing leaders from being authentic. For example, in some cultures, leaders are expected to be formal and reserved, which challenge to be authentic and open.

How to overcome obstacles and be an authentic leader?

1) Define what authenticity means to you: Start by defining what authenticity means to you personally. Authenticity is not a one-size-fits-all concept and can vary from person to person. Ask yourself what values, beliefs, and behaviors make you feel authentic as a leader. Once you define your own authenticity, you can start to model it for others.

2) Build self-awareness: Self-awareness is a critical component of authenticity. You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs to be an authentic leader. Spend time reflecting on your thoughts and actions to gain a deeper understanding of who you are as a person and a leader.

3) Be transparent: Authentic leaders are transparent about their thoughts and feelings. They are willing to share their successes and failures and admit when they do not have all the answers. When you are transparent with your team, it builds trust and creates a culture of openness.

4) Communicate effectively: Effective communication is key to being an authentic leader. You need to be clear and concise in your messaging and be able to actively listen to your team. When you communicate effectively, you build strong relationships with your team and foster an environment of mutual respect.

5) Lead with empathy: Authentic leaders lead with empathy. They understand that their team members are people with their own struggles, fears, and ambitions. When you lead with empathy, you create a safe and supportive environment where people feel valued and respected.

6) Act: Authentic leaders act. They do not just talk about their values; they live them. They lead by example and model the behaviors they want to see in others. When you take action, you inspire your team to do the same.

7) Continuously learn and grow: Authentic leaders are lifelong learners. They are always looking for ways to improve themselves and their leadership skills. Invest in your own personal and professional development to become the best leader can be.

Leadership coaching and development can help leaders to overcome obstacles mentioned and lead with authenticity. A great coach will partner with you to remove biases, unblock your blind spots to discover your true feelings, identify an authentic way to communicate and leverage your strengths to inspire your team, generate positive outcomes for your business and organization.

Reference:     Authenticity - How to Be True to Yourself (mindtools.com) ; Great Cultures Begin With Authentic Leaders (forbes.com)