Case Study:
Consider the journey of Jane, a manager (who would identify as an introvert) at a mid-sized tech company. Jane believes that effective leadership requires extroverted traits—such as being outspoken and constantly sociable—she began emulating these behaviours, despite them feeling awkward and unnatural. Jane forced herself into the spotlight, initiated frequent social gatherings, and adopted a high-energy persona.
Over time, this facade took a toll. Jane felt drained and stressed, leading to a period of burnout. Her team sensed the inauthenticity, which resulted in diminished trust and morale. Productivity declined, and the cohesive team dynamic she once valued began to fracture.
Does this scenario resonate? It underscores the dangers of abandoning one’s authentic self in leadership roles. Authenticity fosters trust and genuine connections, while imitation can breed distrust and disengagement.
Five Steps to Embrace Authentic Leadership
1. Develop Self-Awareness
Engage in deep introspection to understand your core values, strengths, and areas for growth. Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership. Reflecting on your experiences and understanding your motivations allows you to lead with integrity and purpose.
2. Leverage Your Natural Strengths
Recognise and utilise the unique qualities you bring to the table. Engage with a methodology which helps you understand your tendencies. For instance, introverted leaders often excel in active listening and thoughtful decision-making. Embracing these strengths can lead to more effective and genuine leadership.
3. Seek Continuous Feedback
Encourage open dialogue with peers, mentors, and team members to gain insights into your leadership style. You are looking to discover what its like to be on the other side of you. Constructive feedback helps identify blind spots and areas for improvement, fostering growth and authenticity.
4. Align Actions with Core Values
Ensure that your decisions and behaviours reflect your personal and organisational values. Consistency between beliefs and actions builds credibility and trust with your team. It will mean you are true to your convictions something which if out of alignment will be spotted by your team.
5. Cultivate Genuine Relationships
Invest time in building deeper connections with your team. Authentic relationships are built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect, leading to a more cohesive and motivated workforce. Trust is key to relationships and communications around which pivots everything else your team does.
Practical Exercise: Reflecting on Authentic Leadership
Evaluative Journaling
Set aside dedicated time each week to reflect on the following questions:
Values Assessment: What are my core values, and how did I demonstrate them in my leadership this week?
Authenticity Check: Were there moments I felt I was not true to myself? What prompted these situations?
Strengths Utilisation: How did I leverage my natural strengths in my leadership role?
Feedback Integration: What feedback did I receive, and how can I incorporate it to improve?
Relationship Building: What steps did I take to foster genuine connections with my team?
Documenting your thoughts will help identify patterns, reinforce authentic behaviours, and highlight areas for growth. Regular self-reflection and evaluation is a powerful tool in the journey toward authentic leadership.
Embracing your true self not only enhances your well-being but also inspires and empowers those you lead.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
