New Leadership, New Leadership Style
This historic day in history - the day the 46th president of the United States is sworn into office alongside his colleague, the first female vice president of color - seems like an opportune moment to discuss authentic leadership.
No one can be authentic when he or she is trying to emulate someone else. In the business of politics, speaking about authentic leadership may seem oxymoronic, but I assure you it is not. Leadership has many voices, and different leadership styles can be employed to reach the desired outcome. At times, a leader needs to unify, at others, a leader needs to entice, and in other moments, a leader needs to depute.
But the path to becoming an authentic leader is not a sprint; rather it is a journey that begins with understanding the story of your life.
President Joe Biden has faced his fair share of hardship. Yet Biden does not see himself as a victim. Rather, he uses these formative experiences to give meaning to his life. A fairly conflict-averse, steadfast, and consistent life. The ability to use adversity as a building block, reframing events to rise above challenges, is definitionally an authentic leader.
Authentic leaders lead with vision, are transparent, consistent, and are self-aware. Leadership principles are simply values translated into action. It is beliefs and convictions that guide leaders but it is not until they are faced with tribulations that convictions are tested. And we can be certain that President Biden will have his fair of complexities to address.
The mien of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can be colloquially defined but it is with time the nation will learn more about who these individuals are, what they are made of, and how their authentic leadership will carry the nation forth.
Regardless of political affiliations, authentic leadership is about not losing your way - your positions and beliefs, it is about empowering people to lead, and it's about having a strong support group to help you maintain your motivation in leading earnestly.