Authentic Leadership

Dear all,

The idea of the true self and authenticity has stayed with me over the last 2 weeks. This time in the context of leadership rather than a spiritual perspective as I was preparing for a client assignment and did some telephone coaching, discovering someone’s leadership vision.

Knowing yourself, being yourself and disclosing yourself have always been important foundations for effective leadership, reinforcing the concept and necessity of self mastery. However, what really struck me this time as I was reading through books and reflecting on my own personal experiences in organizations is the degree of “sureness” about themselves that leaders seem to have when it comes to their origins, principles / values, personality and vision. In essence, they know what they stand for and what legacy they want to leave behind without questioning or wavering.

Effective leaders know who they are, where they came from and the relationship between the two. They are firmly grounded, mobile, comfortable with oneself, show vulnerability and are able to operate outside their comfort zone & seek feedback. They are masters in perseverance and managing relationships with others based on what the situation requires – sometimes it is intimacy, sometimes it is distance, sometimes it is “tough love”. They are also good situation sensors in the first place and know how to connect the dots (strategic thinking).

In the book “Why should anyone be led by you”? by Rob Goffee & Gareth Jones that I have been reading, the core message is that leadership needs followers and followers want to know:
1. What is special about you that I should follow you?
2. What are your unique traits?

Therefore authentic leaders are those who:
a. Align action with stated values
b. Share personal shortcomings
c. “Show up” consistently and appropriately in different situations
d. Let themselves be known on a personal level beyond title or role

In addition, they are able to give to followers what they need:

1. Community – all about building effective teams where unique talents are recognized and leveraged for overall performance, synergy & growth

2. Authenticity – as described above

3. Significance – providing employees with the line of sight between their contributions and the goals of the organization; giving personalized feedback; recognizing people’s contributions

4. Excitement – passion, conviction, celebrations that spur the team to higher levels of performance


Is that always easy? Sure it is not, but the point here is that since they know themselves so well and do not question their core and calling, they are able to focus on the things that really matter and have the strengths to overcome challenges and obstacles in a way that allows people around them to have the confidence in themselves to contribute and be the best they can be.

The question I would like to ask this week is: “what can we learn from authentic leaders, even if we are not in an “official” leadership position? To some extent we all play the role of leaders from time to time, in the family, in relationships, in our community or in the form of self-leadership.

Allow me to offer you some of my own learning’s and reminders:

1. Embracing who we are– no matter our backgrounds, life history or painful experiences. They made us to who we are today and we are perfect - always. That doesn’t mean to be stuck in the ego and narcissistic powers (that a lot of leaders carry), but rather coming from a place of love where we are consciously focused on our unlimited nature and wholeness.

2. Getting clarity on our vision, purpose and values and know how we translate them into action. Enacted values are key, if we do not walk the talk or embody our principles, what can we expect from our followers? If we do not have a vision and a purpose, we will be searching as many others do and we will not be able to catalyze focused action.

3. Shifting the strategies, but not the goalpost – it refers to staying true to the goals we have set out to achieve despite the day-to-day performance pressures we are under.

4. Having faith and persevere – real leaders show faith in themselves, in their people and organizations they work for. It means we see obstacles as opportunities for learning and growth and we understand that everything happens for a reason. It also requires placing our attention and intention on the things we want to create for the greater good and in the spirit of service.

5. Nurturing our core – it means knowing where we can retreat to in order to rebalance and inspire ourselves again. It requires taking time out on a regular basis to contemplate and recharge the batteries.

As you think about your own ideas on authenticity & leadership, ask yourself today:
1. What does leadership really means to me?
2. When have I been in a leadership position that really fulfilled me?
3. What excites me as a leader? What am I passionate about when leading?
4. What values & principles do I embody as a leader?
5. What do I truly want to stand for as a leader?
6. How do I want to be remembered? What legacy do I want to leave behind?
7. How can I be of service to others through the leadership practices I offer?
8. What do I need to bring my leadership to the next level?

The answers are already within you, allow them into your consciousness today.

Be well,
Vanessa