Authentic leadership is a leadership style characterized by a leader’s genuine approach towards their followers, driven by their own personal convictions and values. Instead of adopting a persona or mimicking another leader’s style, authentic leaders are true to themselves.
Four key components define authentic leadership:
1. Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and motivations. By being self-aware, leaders can guide their actions in alignment with their core beliefs.
2. Relational transparency: Openly sharing thoughts and beliefs, and promoting a transparent environment. This builds trust and fosters a culture where open communication is valued.
3. Balanced processing: An authentic leader evaluates all relevant data before making a decision and is open to feedback. They don’t shy away from opposing viewpoints but welcome them to ensure all perspectives are considered.
Internalized moral perspective: Guided by an internal moral compass, authentic leaders are consistent in their decisions, staying true to their values even when faced with challenges.
Trust in a Skeptical World: With increasing distrust towards institutions and those in positions of power, authentic leadership offers a path to regain trust. Authentic leaders, through their genuine actions and transparency, can rebuild eroded faith in leadership.
Changing Workforce Dynamics: As millennials and Gen Z enter the workforce, they seek purpose and meaningful work. They value leaders who are transparent, approachable, and true to their word. Authentic leadership aligns with these aspirations.
Complexity and Rapid Change: In a rapidly changing world, pretense can be quickly exposed. Leaders who are genuine and adaptive are better equipped to navigate these complexities.
Authentic leadership isn’t something you achieve overnight. It’s a continuous journey of self-reflection, feedback, and growth. Here are steps to cultivate it:
Introspection: Spend time understanding your core values, beliefs, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Seek Feedback: Engage in 360-degree feedback. Understand how others perceive you and work on aligning perception with reality.
Practice Active Listening: Listen to understand, not just to respond. This fosters genuine relationships and trust.
Lead with Empathy: Understand the needs and feelings of those you lead. It promotes a culture of care and understanding.
Authentic leadership offers a path towards leading with integrity, building trust, and fostering genuine relationships. As the dynamics of the modern world continue to evolve, leaders who embrace authenticity are the ones who will inspire and guide their teams towards success.
