The Power of Authentic Leadership
What does it mean to be authentic? Brené Brown defines authenticity as “the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” Having led teams for 29 years, I’ve found that authenticity is the only way to live. It fosters predictability, eliminates the need to justify erratic decisions, creates personal clarity, and produces a consistency that allows others to trust and enables their initiative.
The Importance of Authentic Leadership
Defining Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership is characterized by self-awareness, transparency, ethical behavior, and a commitment to personal growth. Leaders who practice authenticity inspire trust and loyalty, creating a positive and productive organizational culture.
The Legacy of Bill George
One of the most effective leaders demonstrating authenticity was Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic. In his book, “Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value,” George highlights the importance of understanding oneself, developing consistent values, being aware of one’s weaknesses, and fostering enduring relationships. These principles helped Medtronic become one of the world’s leading medical device companies.
Benefits of Authentic Leadership
Building Trust and Credibility
Authentic leaders build trust by being consistent and transparent. This trust fosters a positive work environment where employees feel secure and valued.
Enhancing Employee Engagement
When leaders are authentic, employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated. They feel connected to the organization’s mission and values, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
Improving Organizational Performance
Authentic leadership drives organizational success by aligning the team’s efforts with the company’s goals. This alignment enhances overall performance and drives business growth.
Fostering Innovation
A culture of authenticity encourages creativity and innovation. Employees feel safe to share new ideas and take calculated risks, leading to breakthrough innovations.
Promoting Employee Well-being
Authentic leaders prioritize their employees’ well-being, creating a supportive and healthy work environment. This focus on well-being reduces stress and increases overall job satisfaction.
Living Authentically: Personal and Professional Impact
The Wisdom of Influential Thinkers
Historical figures have long recognized the value of authenticity. Gandhi said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” Ralph Waldo Emerson believed, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Steve Jobs famously stated, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
The Path to Authentic Leadership
Self-Knowledge and Self-Awareness
Leading authentically begins with self-knowledge and self-awareness. Understand your core values and recognize when you’re tempted to compromise them. For instance, if you value people but face shareholder demands for cost-cutting, explore alternatives to layoffs that align with your values, like job sharing or reduced work schedules.
Making Tough Decisions Consistent with Values
Even when difficult decisions, like layoffs, are necessary, your values should guide how you handle them. Provide proactive communication, transparency in decision-making, and support for affected employees. This consistency in values builds long-term trust and dedication among your team.
Practicing Daily Mindfulness and Reflection
Daily Reflection
Incorporate daily mindfulness and reflection practices to stay aware of your actions and ensure they align with your values. This habit helps you detect inauthentic behaviors and fosters continuous personal and professional growth.
Growing Emotional Intelligence
Consistent reflection and mindfulness also enhance your emotional intelligence, helping you better understand and manage your emotions and relationships.
Conclusion
Authentic leadership is not just about personal integrity; it’s a powerful tool for building trust, engaging employees, and driving organizational success. By embracing self-awareness, living your values, and practicing daily mindfulness, you can lead authentically and inspire your team to achieve greater heights.
After leading teams of various sizes for 29 years, I served as a Leadership
Development Program Manager for 4 years. In that capacity, I reviewed research on what makes leadership development programs effective and applied those learnings in a new program that I created called HUMan-Based Leadership development (HUM-B- LE). This program was successfully applied across 5 operations leadership teams and ultimately resulted in a measurable improvement in culture for the broader team of employees.
I earned my BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Colorado. In 2018 I earned a Certified Professional Coach designation and use these skills in support of helping leaders improve. I enjoy helping leaders grow a culture of psychological safety and employee engagement. Research demonstrates that these attributes correlate with high performance and improved business results. My base purpose is to make a difference in the lives of employees by helping leaders create these environments.