What defines someone as a good leader? If you compare the best leaders in the world like Gandhi and Churchill, you’ll see that they are all different in many ways. Their styles differ, and so do their strategies. When the components of successful leaders are described, people use a variety of adjectives to characterise those they admire the most.
In reality, one thing that all these people have in common is – authenticity.
What is Authentic Leadership?
Authentic leadership has been a widely discussed topic in the past couple of years. It’s a concept that sets roots in Ancient Greek philosophy, describing authenticity as a state of being, a tool that allows people to “control their destiny”.
More recent research shows that authentic leadership is the only and strongest predictor of job satisfaction, happiness at the workplace, and organisational commitment in employees.
“Authentic leadership demands inner strength, visibility, credibility, dedication to a shared purpose, personification of values and principles, courage, humility, and respect for others.”
Jensen, Susan & Luthans, Fred. (2006). Entrepreneurs as Authentic Leaders: Impact on Employees’ Attitudes. Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 27. 10.1108/01437730610709273.
All this indicates that, as a leader, it’s critical to demonstrate as much authenticity as you can.
A leader who gives his work an authentic touch can participate more fully in the workplace and motivate others. Without a doubt, developing authentic leadership qualities will help your organisation thrive.
Those who foster authentic behaviours are more likely to make the employees more motivated and engaged. Not to mention, being authentic is easy on the people who do it.
Why?
It’s because trying to behave like someone else or straying from your own beliefs and behaviours is very hard work.
Tips for Promoting Authentic Leadership in the Workplace
With all this being said, you probably want to learn how to promote authentic leadership to make your career and business success. Here are a couple of quick tips to get you started.
1. Know Thyself
Before anything else, you need to be self-aware and know yourself. You cannot show authentic qualities unless you know what it is that makes you unique. A genuine leader takes some time to evaluate himself, his skills and abilities, as well as his weaknesses. As Gardner has said:
“Authenticity requires self-awareness and the ability to act in accordance with one’s true self.”
2. Inspire People around You
Successful leaders are self-aware and confident at the same time. When they are put on this position, they get the right of passage to guide and inspire people around them. This doesn’t mean that you can boss people around and tell them what to do. An authentic leader creates a culture of loyalty and trust and is not afraid to show emotion or be vulnerable.
Those who share their vulnerabilities and stories with colleagues can create healthier and long-lasting relationships with others. Being a leader does not mean that you should hide your human side.
3. Draw on Your Personal Experiences
Life is the best teacher you’ll ever find. If you’ve been selected for this role, it means that you have experiences that prepared you to be a leader. Draw on them to give your team’s work direction and meaning. Everyone has a story to tell, and chances are, many people will trust you more if they can relate to yours.
4. Listen with Empathy
Everyone needs some help. The sooner you understand that leadership does not equal making all the decisions on your own, the better. Authentic leadership revolves around hard skills, but it’s mostly focused on soft skills. To demonstrate your authenticity as a leader, you need to lead with your heart. Such leaders are courageous and emphatic, and they frequently demonstrate an understanding of others, as well as compassion.
Final Thoughts
Leadership begins with authenticity. A good leader’s job is to guide and communicate with people without compromising one’s personality and values. Instead of trying to become someone else, a true leader is always true to himself.
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