4 Tips to Become an Authentic Leader

When it comes to developing your leadership style, it's natural to look up to others for inspiration.?It might be easy to think that we should just?copy other leaders around us to be great leaders.

But while copying someone else might work in the short term, it will never work in the long term. It will be exhausting to keep up, and you won't be able to truly build trust with your team.

Decades of research into leadership have shown that there are many ways to lead. Great leadership means that we understand who we are and how we can impact the people around us by being our authentic selves.

Authentic leadership has many benefits, such?as greater?productivity, higher trust among the team members, better relationships, and a better and more positive work culture. (as highlighted in this HBR article)

If you want to lead with more confidence, impact, and influence, then this week's newsletter and YouTube video are for you. I share four tips for becoming an authentic leader.

1. Self-awareness:?

Self-awareness is key to authentic leadership. You should start by regularly reflecting on what you care about, what you stand for, what your needs are, and your emotional triggers and how to manage them.?

You also want to check that the external Self-awareness matches your internal Self-awareness. Get feedback from others and start to understand whether you are?being perceived?the same way you see yourself.

2. Understand your Values:?

Take some time to identify your 3-5 core values. What do you stand for, and what are your guiding principles? Once you have that list, translate it into actionable behaviors to make your values meaningful. Consistently aligning your actions with your values builds integrity and trust.?

3. Lead from your Strengths:?

Embrace your strengths and figure out how you can authentically lead by using them. This will help you feel more confident and avoid the tendency to copy other leaders. You are your unique self and have something amazing to offer as a leader.?

Once you have fully understood and learned to appreciate your strengths, you can be more vulnerable about your weaknesses. Being open about your strengths and weaknesses fosters trust and empowers your team.

4. Transparent Communication:?

Being an authentic leader and building trusting relationships also means having no hidden agendas and being as transparent and clear in your communication as possible.

Keep your team informed, set clear goals, and explain your decisions, especially the difficult ones. Transparency builds trust, but be careful not to overshare or be disrespectful.?

Authentic leadership is a journey of self-awareness and genuine connection based on trust.?

If you would like to find out more about your authentic leadership superpower, take my?2-min?quiz. I will share?with you?how to communicate more effectively and increase your impact by leveraging your strengths.??