Why authenticity is key to building trust and connection when leading a virtual team
The Hoxby model for effective virtual leadership
A guide to leading teams in hybrid and remote environments
Being real and personal
At the start of this series we introduced the Hoxby Model of Remote Leadership? and the 14 domains in which effective virtual leaders excel. So far we have explored the importance of agile experimentation, resilience and communication. This week we are looking at authentic leadership, drawing on inspiration and insights from Alex Hirst and Lizzie Penny (co-founders of Hoxby) and Rachel Watson (MD of Finance at Hoxby).
One of the things that makes Alex Hirst and Lizzie Penny’s videos so engaging is their authenticity. By making sure the content is not overly staged or scripted, they make it personal and fun, allowing their flaws to show. Through their videos you get to know the real Alex and Lizzie.
Hoxby co-founders Lizzie Pennie and Alex Hirst greeting Hoxbies in one of their videos.
For Rachel Watson (MD of Finance at Hoxby), authenticity is about bringing her whole, unfiltered self to work – a brave move for anyone, as everyone may not like the ‘real’ you. It can be scary to show vulnerability and weakness. Authenticity is also about admitting when you’re wrong (something we touch on in several other domains). In my conversation with Avril Chester (a CEO and CTO at different charities), she pointed out that leaders will always be working in different contexts and different environments. Even if you stay in the same organisation and team, people come and go and projects change. You won’t always get it right. As a leader, it’s important to realise this, to be humble and apologise. Be open to admitting that it didn't turn out the way you hoped it would, and ask if there is anything you can do to fix it. This open acknowledgement helps build authenticity (and trust, which is a domain covered later).
The benefits are huge. Authenticity builds approachability, trust, connection and enables us all to work better together. Employees who feel they can be authentic in the workplace are happier and more engaged. However, there is also a fine line between authenticity and professionalism. As a leader you should share your own struggles to make others feel safe sharing theirs, not simply to dump your worries on other people.
Key takeaways
- Watch Brene Brown’s Ted Talk and think about how you can be more vulnerable and authentic in your leadership style
- Is there something that isn’t related to work that you would feel comfortable sharing with your team to encourage them to do the same? Use question prompts if helpful. Reflect on how your connections within the team deepen as a result.
- Identify a way you could be more authentic at work. For example, is your profile photo on your email, messaging service or LinkedIn particularly professional? Could you use a more personable, authentic photo?
Next week, we will take a look at the importance of vision and purpose in effective virtual leadership. If you can’t wait to read the entire series, you can request the full PDF here. The full article also brings the theory to life through real examples of brilliant virtual leadership within each domain.