Ralph Waldo Emerson said: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
“Authenticity is the alignment of
head, mouth, heart, and feet -
thinking, saying, feeling, and doing
the same thing - consistently. This
builds trust, and followers love
leaders they can trust.”
– Lance Secretan
Authenticity assumes the basic premise that you stay you, and you do not try and be someone else. Be genuine.
There’s no one way of being a leader. Everybody is different and develops differently. The skills are necessary, but you, you be you, not anyone else.
When we put on personality ‘airs’ we have a duplicity about us, trying to please, find approval, impress, and that duplicity others will sense. Over time, the real you will reveal itself. You will not be able to create and sustain the necessary foundation for real relationships.
You cannot fail at being yourself: someone said.
Authenticity requires vulnerability, transparency and integrity. Janet Louise Stephenson
Authenticity includes giving constructive feedback, asserting your point of view in conflicts, making confident contributions, being open and honest in your relationships, maintaining integrity ie. telling the truth, and being the truth.
Authentic leaders have clarity about who they are and what they stand for. They have made a genuine discovery of their edge as a leader. They have no need to manipulate or deceive or use carrot-and-stick methods to coerce people into doing things. Authentic leaders, because of their vulnerability, transparency and integrity, build solid relationships with trust and therefore can influence and inspire those they lead.
Stephen Covey said: Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships. And trust only comes when those around you know you are authentic- real and genuine.
This is episode 57
