Leadership Tips

What is Authenticity and Why Is It So Important for Today's Leaders?

Leadership isn't something we do in response to our circumstances. It's a way of being. You don't do leadership. You are a leader. Leadership comes from within. It is an ongoing and consistent expression of who we are that inspires others to action. Authentic leaders know themselves and their purpose; they use that knowledge as their internal compass. When we align our actions with our sense of purpose, we act authentically; we take a stand, living centered, calm, powerful lives. We are in control of our feelings and emotions, rather than letting them control us.

Authenticity is about having personal integrity, being genuine, and acting in a way that is true to yourself and your beliefs. It's about NOT putting up a façade, NOT being aloof or INaccessible.

Our sense of another's authenticity has an enormous impact on whether or not we trust them, how comfortable we are with them, and how willing we are to follow them. Authenticity, then, is critical to effective leadership.

Doing vs. being

Some corporate executives are motivated primarily by money, earning six and seven figure incomes. Others are motivated by "the game", by winning, and besting others who may be competing for limited corporate resources needed to implement their plans. Typically, these executives reach a place were they burn out, or become increasingly dissatisfied by their day-to-day routines. As a result, their teams suffer and are not as productive, or effective, as they could be.

The best leaders are guided by a deeper purpose – to create a product or service, for example, that delights their customers, or leaves a mark on the world in some way that is meaningful to them. When authentic leaders do this well, they can sustain success and the seven figure income, along with a genuine feeling of accomplishment, of having made a significant contribution.

Purpose gives meaning to what we do

When we clarify our true purpose, we come to understand what gives meaning to the things we do. Our purpose gives us guidance on how to do things. For example, my purpose is to live powerfully, contribute to the creation of powerful lives, and connect communities of people. I've chosen to do this through my career as a Leadership Development Specialist and Executive Coach. My purpose doesn't dictate my profession or what I do. I could live purposefully in many others roles: I could have chosen to teach or to be a leader in a corporate setting. My purpose guides how I do what I've chosen to do. And it shows up outside of work, also, in how I contribute in my community, behave in my family, and so on. It is my internal compass. When I start playing small (holding back and not being powerful), or when I'm being stingy with my time and talents, I can feel it in my body. I feel uncentered, uncomfortable, and unfulfilled. I'm at my best when I am being myself, connecting members of my various networks, and inspiring and supporting others to be their best. It's from this place of purpose that I do my best work.

Of course, living on purpose means that you may not 'fit' or be successful or happy in every setting. But that's OK. You will be most successful and make the greatest contribution in the place where you can be your fully genuine, purposeful, authentic, wonderful self.

Contact us

Want to explore how to best express your authentic self in your work in order to achieve sustained and fulfilling success? Contact us at (781) 453-2211 so that we can discuss your next steps.