Why, as a leader, being honest might just work?

Do you really need to “walk the walk and talk the talk, and wear the game face” to be seen as a leader?and what does that even mean? Therein lies the question!?

Borgen is a Danish political TV series that I have been watching for a while (I’m years behind!). The main protagonist is a female politician, leader of a small party. She finds herself fighting for her political life two days before an election. She's in the final TV debate and she makes the radical decision to “be honest, to be me” and she throws away the script.

She tells the millions watching:

“My spin-doctor is going crazy - I am not going to keep to my political script, I’m going to be honest, I’m wearing this terrible dress because the black dress we agreed I should wear is too small, I’ve put on weight!”?

She goes on to say that we need to admit when we don't know something or when we get it wrong, she goes on to speak her honest truth about how she really sees the country and what she truly believes for her country's future success, and for the next two minutes she speaks with absolute honesty about everything - and yes it creates discomfort, but it also does something unexpected.

You’d think political death right? Her spin-doctor certainly did.

But NO, she goes on to win the election and become the next president of Denmark!?

Why??

By being herself - flaws and all, telling her truth, and by saying what she felt needed to be said with honesty. She created trust, credibility and a connection with her audience by simply being real and transparent.? ?

Brave - YES?

Vulnerable- YES?

Hard - YES?

Successful - YES?

My questions to you?

How can you be more truthful in your communication??

What are the things that need to be said that you fear saying??

What's the consequence of not speaking them? ?

Here are some interesting videos on exploring authenticity.

Thank you for reading.

Olivia MacDonnell

Founder, Confident Speak

I'll travel to Chicago to work with a leadership team soon, so I’m excited to work with this team and I’m excited to visit this great city once again.? I’m checking out what I might do in my evenings! Where else to check but TimeOut Chicago.?I also get to hang with my brother, sis-in-law and his cool family for a day, so that's a bonus!

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