It's Not About Being Perfect, It's About Being Real

Do you believe that projecting a flawless image of strength and competence is the key to excellent leadership? Many do. However, I believe that authenticity along with inclusivity and kindness are the cornerstones of effective leadership in the modern world.

It's not about being perfect; it's about being real. Authentic leaders tend to inspire trust and foster connection. ?They are better equipped to operate, learn and adapt in uncertain times.

We will have all heard phrases like “bring your whole self to work” and “just be yourself” or even when in doubt “Be like Mike” being thrown out there.? After a while these just become buzzwords and slogans; and they start to lose their meaning. If you’re joining a new company, new into leadership or even changing careers, it can be challenging to “be yourself” straight away. Let’s also add in, that if you represent any sort of difference, it can be doubly challenging to “just be you” as you try to fit in

In this article, I’ll cover what it is to be authentic, the benefits it can have on you, your teams and organisational culture. I’ll give you six strategies to best bring authenticity into your leadership, not as a buzzword but an effective game-changer that elevates you and your team.

The buzz about authenticity.

Several key factors over recent years have driven the increased use and need for authentic leadership.? Primarily fuelled by a demand for ethical leadership in the wake of corporate scandals, authentic leadership gained traction for its emphasis on values-driven decision-making and the need to rebuild brand trust and credibility. Thought leaders and coaches such as Brené Brown and Simon Sinek also further popularised the concept, contributing to its adoption by leaders and organisations seeking to create positive cultures, while navigating the complexities of the modern workplace and improving need for employee engagement and well-being.

Research has also shown shifting leadership paradigms away from the traditional leadership models.? In a recent HBR article: The new rules of Executive Presence, as a result of varying events over the past decade such as the pandemic, political and economic instability, social movements etc; the expectations of leaders has changed and increased. The research provides data that confirms projecting authenticity and inclusivity are key leadership traits on the rise.

So what is authenticity?

Simply put, authenticity means being genuine. ?It’s when you can express your values, beliefs, emotions, and intentions in a way that is consistent, transparent, and aligned with your true self. Authentic leaders lead with integrity, humility, and vulnerability which in turn inspires trust, respect, and loyalty in their teams and organisations.

Pretending to be someone who you think others want you to be, steals your energy and just creates anxiety and stress.

We need to replace the well coined phrase “fake it till you make it.” with something like “Be real and learn as you grow”. Granted it’s less catchy but it steps away from this notion you are somehow being fake or an imposter. ?(I’ll dive in more on Imposter Syndrome at a later date)

What are the benefits of authentic leadership?

Authentic leadership is not just an ethical must; it provides a strategic advantage for organisations. By embracing their own authenticity, leaders can create high-performing teams, foster a positive organisational culture, and achieve sustainable success in today's competitive and rapidly changing business environment.? Also, we need to remember that authenticity in leadership is more complex than just being yourself, authenticity matters more so in how you show up for others and those in your charge.

Authentic leaders create a culture of trust and psychological safety where team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. When employees trust their leaders and feel a sense of connection and belonging, they are typically more engaged, motivated, and committed to the organisation's goals. For me, this forms the basis of inclusive and high-performance teams and cultures.

Authentic leaders foster open and honest communication and are willing to have the tough conversations. Their vulnerability allows team members to voice their opinions, ideas, and concerns without fear of judgment. This transparent communication leads to better collaboration and creativity as diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected.

Authentic leaders prioritise the well-being and development of their team members, creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive. When employees feel seen and heard by their leaders, they experience higher levels of job satisfaction and loyalty.

Authentic leaders lead by example, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow in the face of challenges and uncertainty. This sets the tone for confidence and resilience in their teams.

When authenticity is embraced at all levels of the organisation, it creates a culture of integrity, transparency, and growth.

Who am I?

Let me be honest, it can be challenging for anyone to find their authentic self especially if you are new into a role or company. When you add in the fact that 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in the lives, there can be some deeper-rooted psychological reasons such as self-doubt and insecurity as to why some feel they need to wear a mask in certain environments.?

As humans, we also evolve and grow over time and may have to carry multiple identities such as leader, team member, parent, child, sibling, she, he, they, them. So, it’s important to keep checking in with yourself and those around you. Do the inner work on self-awareness and make personal development a priority.

Being your authentic self can also be challenging for individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds and communities. Women, people of colour, neurodivergent thinkers and people with diverse gender or sexual identities often find themselves being the only person like them in the room and so often face additional challenges that contribute needing to mask or being asked to “tone down” to fit in.?

Let’s be clear, when an environment or culture dictate the terms of your authenticity then that is the opposite of being asked to bring your whole self. Healthy and strong cultures are really built when they allow for non-conformity and when the ask is not for difference to fit in but to add in.

For me, being the only in the room hasn’t been a bad thing. It reminds me I have a responsibility to use my authentic voice and ideas to contribute and influence to help drive the right outcomes for a company – that’s when we can be more creative or highlight blind spots and reduce group think. Also being in the room reminds me to always bring my best self as I have a responsibility to ensure that others who come after me have more equitable opportunities to get into the room too. This is not always easy and it takes time and experience.

So, do you want to be authentic?

In my opinion, there are four core aspects to bringing authenticity as a leader. It’s about being true to yourself and leading with integrity, empathy, and vulnerability.

A.????? Self-Awareness:

Authentic leaders have a deep understanding of their own values, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. They are introspective and reflective, continually seeking to align their actions with their core beliefs and principles.

Integrity is inevitably at the heart of authentic leadership. Stay true to your values, even when it's difficult or unpopular. Align your actions with your values, and lead with integrity and authenticity. Your consistency and integrity will earn the respect and trust of those around you.

Strategy 1: Take the time to reflect on and write down your values, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Having clarity on what really drives you and what truly matters to you will provide you with your north star especially in times of uncertainty and pressure.

Strategy 2: Be committed to continuous learning and growth. Seek feedback from others, both positive and constructive, and use it as an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement.

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B.????? Vulnerability:

Authentic leaders are not afraid to show their humanity and vulnerability. They are willing to admit mistakes, acknowledge their limitations, and seek help when needed. By embracing vulnerability, they create a culture of psychological safety where team members feel comfortable taking risks and being themselves.

This is super important especially in times of constant uncertainty. Leaders need to be adaptable and ready for a variety of situations. When you don’t have all the answers, it takes courage to act with humility, learn from what’s around you and adapt to lead effectively.

I think it’s important to point out that I am assuming there is a baseline competency and credibility of the leader first, as then being vulnerable shouldn’t cast doubt on your capability or be perceived as a weakness but actually will be a seen as a strength

.Showing vulnerability can be a powerful way to form stronger connections and relationships, after all we are human, not machines (AI is a whole other story!).

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Strategy 3: Share your struggles, fears, and failures with humility – embrace failures. Another key to success is understanding its symbiotic relationship with failure – you simply can’t have one without the other.? We learn more from our mistakes, so fail fast, fail often, fail forward. (i.e. see failures as stepping stones towards success)

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C.????? Integrity:

Authentic leaders are open and honest in their communication, sharing their thoughts, feelings, and intentions with sincerity and candour. They aren’t afraid of the tough conversation or decision, but instead embrace transparency as a means of building trust and connection with others.

For the best part of 3 decades, I’ve worked in high pressure, high stakes situations where it was essential I performed at my best. ?It was having clarity of my values that ensured I was able and trusted to operate with conviction and do the right thing consistently in the face of pressure. This is what helped be effective and sleep at night.

You need to be honest with yourself. Leadership can be a very lonely place, so ensuring you have the right support around you and self care has to be a priority, so you can remain effective without burning out.

?A word of caution. Do not oversimplify this point:

As stated at the start; authenticity in leadership isn’t just about self but more importantly about others, so your communication style needs to factor in active listening and understanding how your messages are being heard. You can read more on the importance of kindness in leadership here.

Strategy 4: Ensure you have the right support and systems around you so you can operate with integrity consistently.

Strategy 5: Self-Care, make it a priority

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D.????? Empathy and care:

Authentic leaders demonstrate empathy and compassion towards others, seeking to understand their perspectives, feelings and needs. They listen actively, show genuine concern for the well-being of their team members, and strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

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Strategy 6: ?Seek to understand the perspectives and experiences of those around you. Stretch your own comfort zone to learn from diverse role models, experts and experiences. Do the work to challenge your own limiting beliefs and unconscious bias in order to help improve your judgement and your ability to lead with empathy.

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In the end...

Authentic leadership is not about pretending to be someone you're not; it’s about embracing your true self and leading with courage, empathy, and integrity.

Authenticity is a powerful leadership trait, though it's important for leaders to be mindful to strike the right balance with other key leadership characteristics in order to navigate uncertainty and adapt to different situations. It takes time and continuous personal development to be the kind of leader that continues to show up and bring the best out of others.

#leadership #management #leadershipdevelopment #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #strategy #diversityandinclusion

To find out more and get in touch with me – go to ?https://conrad-da-cunha.com