Are you an authentic leader?
Below are some of the traits of authentic leadership
✨ High level of trust and credibility
✨Stand by your principles
✨Understand who you are what you stand for
✨Comfortable with showing your strengths and vulnerabilities
Read more about authentic leadership in my article below
As a leadership and career coach, I often work with clients to support them in establishing their own leadership identity. In this article we’re going to dive into the concept of authentic leadership. What does it really mean? Why is it important? And how do we develop and practice ‘authentic’ leadership?
What is Authentic Leadership:
Authentic leadership isn't about putting on a show. It's about being yourself, staying true to your principles, and leading with integrity. An authentic leader’s actions are aligned with their values, establishing an atmosphere of trust and credibility.
Think about someone you’ve encountered in your professional life that you thought of as a good leader. What qualities did they possess? How did they express themselves? What made them inspiring? Chances are, being an authentic person is one of those characteristics that made them stand out.
The Journey of Self-Discovery:
Unlocking ‘who’ you are as a leader requires some introspection. It begins with knowing ourselves—our core values, our beliefs and our passions. It requires building a deeper self-awareness of our strengths and weaknesses, our flaws and limitations. Seeking honest feedback from those we trust can be a helpful part of this process, as can reflection exercises like journaling. This self-discovery process can be challenging, but it's worth it.
Developing your emotional intelligence is also important. Listening skills, empathy, the ability to control your emotions and manage stressful situations, are all critical in building trust and credibility with the people you lead.
Aligning Values and Purpose:
Once we have developed a deeper understanding of ourselves, we can seek to work within an organisation, and leadership role, that is aligned with our values, strengths and purpose. When your personal values align with the strategy and values of your organisation, you are able to bring your whole self to work, lead with passion, and inspire others. Understanding how our purpose aligns with the organisation's goals leads to a strong and effective leadership style that feels authentic to ourselves.
Practising Authentic Leadership:
Authentic leadership isn't about creating a persona. It's about showcasing your genuine strengths, following your principles, and focusing on results. It is a commitment to stand firm in your truth, understanding who you are, what you stand for, and being open to revealing that person to others.
Authentic leaders bring their genuine selves to their role, including their unique strengths and even their vulnerabilities. By doing so, they promote an atmosphere of honesty and encourage their team to do the same. Showcasing genuine strengths isn't about bragging or being arrogant. Instead, it's about acknowledging what you excel at, what your team can depend on you for, and using these strengths to bring out the best in others.
In short - the best thing you can bring to your organisation, your team, and your leadership practice is your authentic self!
Stay tuned to my page for more insights on authentic leadership, confidence building, career development and more. And if you’d like support in your leadership journey, please don't hesitate to get in touch.