How to be an Authentic Leader

What does it mean to be an authentic leader?

To me being an authentic leader means being true to oneself and not allowing outside sources to influence their visions, values, and belief system. They don’t compromise their core values and they remain true to themselves. This not only requires a strong conviction but also a heart centered approach to leadership and a firm belief in oneself. Authentic leaders know exactly who they are and they think, feel, and behave in a way that is true to who they really are.

Why is it important to be authentic at work?

Being a leader is challenging in today’s fast-paced business world. In organizations that are experiencing ever-changing challenges and roadblocks, leadership can be a stressful role to have and one that requires large ‘shoulder pads’. When you sit in the boss’s chair, it can feel as if you could lose yourself in the craziness. Engaging in authentic leadership can help lighten the burden and may even help you to make a deeper connection with your staff. It revolves around one of the simplest charges there is: being yourself.

How can you become more of an authentic leader?

1.  Go deep. It’s important to dig deep and connect within in order to know who you really are. Authentic leaders know themselves intimately and nurture a strong relationship with themselves. This is based on a belief that you can’t have strong relationships with other people until you have a great one with yourself. They know their strengths and areas that require improvement and push past their fears.

2.  Be a visionary. Authentic leaders spend time in solitude dreaming an impossible future both for themselves, their staff and their organizations. They embrace the ideas of others and then go a step further and envision other creative possibilities that no one else has brought to the table. They are daring and bold and ask themselves what’s possible?

3.  Self-care. Authentic leaders know that in order to be fully present, to be a role model, and to excel at what they do, they need to ensure that they eat nutrient dense foods, get adequate amounts of sleep, and engage in some sort of physical activity. When you give your car premium gas it runs better and when you give your car the cheap stuff your engine doesn’t run as optimally as it could. Our bodies work the same way. Since leaders have such stressful jobs, it is vitally important for them to commit to their health and well-being. This in turn makes them feel better, and gives them more energy and stamina required to put in long hours and do great things. This also includes drinking optimal water and spending time in nature…even practicing mindfulness at work. Whatever it takes.

4.  Commit to excellence rather than perfection. Authentic leaders are wise enough to know that perfection doesn’t exist so they strive for excellence in everything they do. They work on the best versions of themselves and don’t compare themselves to other leaders both within and outside their organizations. They are constantly thinking big and outside the box to go beyond what has currently been done. They involve others in strategic thinking and planning with a focus on continuous business transformation.

5.  Leave a legacy. Authentic leaders ask themselves how they want to be remembered when they leave and then take action now to be able to have the kind of impact they want with the people they work with. They are wise enough to know that people connect to the hearts of leaders and not their minds. This means making significant contributions that make a difference in people’s lives and the world around them. Authentic leaders are constantly building their legacies by adding significant value to everything they do and leaving the world a better place in the process.

6.  Speak the truth. Authentic leaders speak works that are in alignment with their values. This doesn’t mean that they hurt others with their words. It does mean speaking their truth but in a way that has a powerful and positive impact on those around them.

 7.  Lead from the heart. Authentic leaders are in the business of people. Some of the best leaders wear their hearts on their sleeve. They generally care about the well-being of their staff and create positive work environments in which everyone thrives. They know how to best utilize the strengths of their staff, help them develop their skills and abilities, and make their staff feel appreciated. They get out of their offices and make real connections with their staff every day.

8.  Be courageous. Authentic leaders are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and are not afraid to go against the crowd. They speak with conviction as they explain their ideas for improvements to their stakeholders. We live in a world where so many people walk the path of least resistance as it requires very little energy and hardly any drama. Authentic leadership is all about taking the road less traveled and doing what is right.

9.  Build teams and create communities. Authentic leaders know that we spend so much of our waking life at work so it’s important to have a strong sense of community in the work place. Even though the work and clients keep coming, we can enjoy the environments in which we work and this has everything to do with the connections we have with those we work with. Authentic leaders create workplaces that foster meaningful connections and lasting friendships.

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