What are the best ways to train leaders to be more authentic?

Where to start? Think about a time in your life, work or school where you were super engaged, there was flow, it felt effortless, you were "in the zone," it was poignant... what were you doing? who was there? From here you can get a lens into where you find meaning and fulfillment. Identify the values that come forward. Bringing awareness to these values and where they are in you life and work, can help you define them, and honor them in your career.

1. Self-awareness: Encouraging leaders to understand their values and how they align with their personal and professional lives. 2. Transparency: Promoting open communication and honesty, so leaders can share their values and demonstrate them in their actions. 3. Empathy: Training leaders to understand and connect with the values of their team members, fostering trust and collaboration. 4. Role modeling: Encouraging leaders to lead by example, showcasing how they integrate their values into decision-making and behavior. 5. Feedback: Providing constructive feedback and coaching to help leaders align their actions with their stated values.

Self awareness and knowing your Values will highly help while dealing with crisis situations. As a leader, your decision matters and may impact many. If the decision is aligned with the core values of a person, it shows their authenticity, the strong personality they hold, and an inspiring model-leader to their team. I use coaching tools and assessments that help my clients to find their core values and that has served great benefits to them. It aids as a self help tool, to find the right choice, in struggling moments.

Additionally, once you've identified your values, it's essential to regularly revisit and reassess them. As you grow and evolve, your values may shift or become more nuanced. Life experiences, changing circumstances, and personal development can influence your perspective. Revisiting your values ensures that they remain a true reflection of who you are. It's not a static process; it's dynamic and ongoing. Consider engaging in regular self-reflection, seeking feedback from trusted mentors or colleagues, and being open to the possibility of refining your values over time. This continual examination ensures that your authenticity is not just a one-time declaration but a living, breathing aspect of your leadership journey.

Furthermore, it's not just about seeking feedback passively; it's about creating a culture that encourages open communication and feedback exchange. Actively solicit input from your team and create a safe space for them to share their thoughts. This collaborative approach will enhance your self-awareness and foster a culture of transparency and trust within the team. Remember, the goal is to use it as a tool for continuous improvement. Embrace both the positive and constructive feedback, and demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth. By incorporating feedback into your leadership journey, you not only enhance your authenticity but also contribute to the collective growth and development of your team.

Feedback management (asking for, responding to, acting on and giving feedback) is such an underestimated area. The value of feedback is exponential. If you are someone who asking for feedback, my advice is to ask: > The right person (you should be asking people who have had direct interaction with you) > At the right time (you should ask in the moment (or shortly after) and not months later) > The right questions (you should be specific about what you want feedback on) If you are someone giving feedback, my advice is to: > Be specific (don't give vague, broad feedback like "you need more confidence", give examples instead) > Choose the time wisely > Be constructive and supportive

Integrating mindfulness into your leadership style can have a transformative impact on your authenticity. Mindfulness deepens your self-awareness and cultivates a heightened sensitivity to the needs and experiences of those around you. By staying present in interactions, you can more genuinely connect with your team, demonstrating a sincere interest in their perspectives. Mindfulness equips you with the ability to respond thoughtfully, rather than reacting impulsively. Incorporating short mindfulness practices into your daily routine - like brief meditations before meetings or a moment of focused breathing during the day - not only benefits your own well-being but contributes to a more authentic and mindful leadership approach.

Authentic expression goes hand in hand with building genuine connections. It's not just about speaking your mind; it's about sharing your thoughts and emotions in a manner that resonates with others. This is about creating spaces for open dialogue where everyone feels heard and understood. This is a two-way street – not only do you convey your thoughts and feelings authentically, but you also invite and value the expressions of those around you. Share your experiences, successes, and even challenges. This vulnerability fosters a culture where authenticity is not just encouraged but celebrated. By doing this you contribute to a more open, trusting, and collaborative work environment where each team member feels empowered to do the same.

'Walk the talk' - is very important to build authenticity. Whatever you commit, try to take action on that. If you are not able to achieve it fully, be transparent in communicating that to respective parties, with reasons why it couldn't happen. As human beings, others can understand each other and they value your sincerity in performing the best possible from your end. This also helps to build Trust. As a leader, winning the trust of the team and others around you, can make all the difference.

Being vulnerable is a great way to show authenticity. As a leader, your job isn't to show you are perfect but to connect with your team. A great way to build a deep connection is to be vulnerable. A few easy ways to show vulnerability are - Admit when you make mistakes. - Admit when you don't know something (but offer to find the answers). - Share your current struggles with your team (within reason). The more you come across as a human being (weaknesses and all), the more you will build a reputation as being authentic.

Authenticity will stem from self assurance and empathy. When you are ok with who you are you will be less likely to wear masks in the workplace. No one is completely self assure, in fact it won’t serve you to seek that because then you’ll risk becoming unteachable but a healthy amount of self assurance will allow you to be your authentic self. When you have that in the bank as a foundation then focus on empathy. When you’re being empathetic you can truly connect with another individual and there will be no doubt in their mind you are being authentic - this is where real connections are made.

Two things that are critical here are courage and emotional intelligence. Courage to show who you really, to be open and more vulnerable - which can be hard to do, especially in the workplace. And linked to that is emotional intelligence. This is the secret sauce in effective leadership. It's not just about technical skills; it's about understanding and managing your emotions and those of the people around you. When you can tune into the feelings of your team, it builds trust, fosters collaboration, and helps navigate tricky situations with finesse. And this is all about self-awareness, and then extending that understanding to others. It's about being a good listener, responding with empathy and showing some vulnerability.