AN AUTHENTIC LEADER FOR A RESILIENT WORLD

“When I grow up, I want to become an authentic leader,” said no one.

We dream about conquering foreign lands, exploring space, becoming rock stars, or being scientists. Very few of us are taught to reflect on why we want to do all those things and who we want to be. We drift in our career stories, winning against no one, hoping to fill the void of a purposeless life.

The awakening day came to me in my 40s, and at that moment, everything I knew about life changed dramatically.

1. A YOUNG MANAGER TRYING TO FIT IN

Authenticity was not my priority when I got my first management role.

Surrounded by seasoned leaders, I tried to emulate their style – a style that, in retrospect, felt more like wearing someone else’s suit: respectable but never quite fitting. I embraced corporate slang and tried to look tough and in control. I fell in love with my “iron woman” allure, walking the hallways of my company infused by my own importance.

As my style evolved, I tried everything: being everyone`s friend, the rebel, the outcast, the diplomat, the strong, the non-emotional or too emotional – you name it. But I did not find the courage to be an authentic leader; it was too much for a scared, insecure young woman.

After many years, I reflected on my values and what truly resonated with me. All of a sudden, I was not the tough Michael, the successful Manuel, or the forceful Manfred.

I became myself.

2. LEARNING TO STAND BY YOUR VALUES

An authentic leader stands by their values even when they go against the grain.

In my early days, I thought leadership was a well-rehearsed script or a track record of stoic decisions. But true leadership? It’s far more human and vulnerable than that.

I remember a boss telling glorious stories about our success in a town hall. But the reality was that we were losing money, needed a clear strategy, and the culture was far from healthy. While listening to his speech, our instant messages were firing up: “Is he serious or completely disconnected from reality?”

People know the reality, and a leader telling fake stories in critical moments will not do. If success is not there, speak openly about it and look for solutions together. This is how great stories are built.

3. AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE

I recall a turning point in my career: a moment of raw honesty in front of my team. It wasn’t planned, but I genuinely expressed my doubts. The room lit up with energy instantly, and one by one, my colleagues started expressing similar thoughts.

That day, through a very open conversation, we found a solution to one of the most complex problems our company was trying to solve. I did not need to say a word more: all that contributed took ownership and started working on the solution.

In facing challenges, being true to our values and transparent about difficulties has helped us to build more resilient teams. Together, we navigated difficult projects, solved complex problems, and had lots of fun. We trusted each other and were inspired to rally and find innovative solutions together.

Resilient teams mean more resilience for the individuals and the families they support, and more innovative solutions to the world problems.

4. EMBRACING VULNERABILITY

Command and control will not serve you well in today`s world. You are the one focusing your team’s energy in the right direction, helping them to achieve the purpose the company was created for in the first place. If you are the smartest one on the team, you either have the wrong people or the wrong perception.

I once had a boss who liked being in our learning sessions. He would ask all sorts of questions with a superior smile. Initially, I thought he was genuinely curious, but seeing him always taking the spotlight became tiresome after a while. We realized that the learning sessions were simply an ego booster for him, a way to demonstrate his superiority.

Stand in the middle of the team and replace your facade of infallibility with the humility of continuous learning. Show that you do not have all the answers and are willing to learn, but let your team guide you. This is why you hired experts: to go deeper into a topic and add new perspectives.

5. THE POWER OF SHARED VISION

I learned about the “shared vision” concept a few years back when I came across one of the best books in business. The book is called “The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization” and was written by Peter Senge, a senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Shared vision means people have a common set of values, and they all pull in the same direction. You probably came across a famous saying by Margaret Mead, an American cultural anthropologist “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The secret sauce is having people rallying behind the vision. An authentic leader who believes in the company’s purpose wins people`s minds and hearts.

6. AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP IS NOT THE EASY PATH

If authenticity would be easy, we would live in a better world.

It takes a lot of courage to show up in your whole glory, with doubts and flaws, like any other human. However, balance is key. You must remain the buffer and absorb shocks to shield your team from politics and unnecessary distractions. We must transform the leadership practices for a better, more resilient world.

As a leader, you must show courage and make decisions when the direction is unclear. That is why you are a leader: to help your team focus on what is important, to enable them to achieve the company goals.

7. CONCLUSION

The journey to authentic leadership is not about finding a perfect style. We are no saints, just error-prone human beings. But speaking the truth and standing by your values builds genuine connections. I have met many high-quality people over my career and gained their trust: they would jump in the next boat with me without knowing where we sailed.

SHARE YOUR STORY

How was your journey to becoming an authentic leader? Share your tips in the comments; every story can inspire someone!