Authentic Leadership & Why It Matters

There has been much said and written on what is important for successful leadership – self-leadership, trustworthiness, listening, vision … and so much more.  Lately reading of some world-stage leaders being accused of corruption and intentional mismanagement for personal gain, I have been reflecting on one of those necessary qualities – Authenticity.

Authenticity is synonymous with reliability, dependability, trustworthiness, credibility, and fidelity.

"Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen."  — Brené Brown

Authentic leadership is founded on ethical self-leadership expressed through honest relationships with the people you lead.  Authenticity helps leaders be open to learn, to grow, to lead based on the feedback of their teams.  

"In the 21st century, without authenticity in leadership, organizations can't develop sustained growth." – Bill George

Authentic leaders work for a greater cause/vision than a narrow self-interest. There's a higher purpose at stake for them.  Like Dr. Martin Luther King, who believed in and worked for a greater cause of equality for all men everywhere more than just solving a problem of civil rights for the time and place he was living in. These leaders inspire the people who follow them to be more and do more than they would have thought possible for themselves.  These leaders are willing to do all it takes to achieve the big vision, without compromising on their own integrity or risking the people they lead.

Being true to themselves, authentic leaders know that they need people who are different to their own leadership style, but who they know would complement their skills and blind spots, to be a part of their team.  They are aware of their weaknesses as well as their strengths, and are intentional to find people to complement their weaker areas. They are not afraid to be challenged or stretched by those they lead.

Authentic leaders lead with the heart and the head.  They don’t try to hide who they really are.  They are not afraid to be themselves or express their fears, their feelings, their vulnerability, their failures.  They know all of these experiences are lessons to grow from in a lifelong leadership journey.  Because they lead for a higher purpose than themselves, they embrace failures as failing forward, as much as they embrace successes for the moment.

I love what I read about a trait of authentic leaders, “They commit to excellence rather than perfection”. That says volumes of how passionate they are for working to be the best they can be, in everything they do, instead of aiming for an abstract state of perfection.  What matters is what is done now is the best possible for the present state of knowledge.

"No matter what type of leader you are or how widespread your influence, you face personal temptations, challenges, and stresses. And only a foundation of character will sustain you and your leadership." — Myles Munroe 

Authentic leaders lead selflessly and with integrity, in every career or calling.  I have been been blessed to work with and learn from a couple of great examples of authentic leadership -- leaders who made decisions out of integrity, who mentored and coached out of true interest in impacted growth for their followers, and whose leadership was centered on values, principles, and purpose. 

What are your stories of authentic leadership?

The writer believes in values-based, centered leadership as key to success in life and business. Share your comments on this article below.