The 5 Principles of Authentic Leadership
Real Leaders Don’t Say They Are Authentic—They Are Authentic
Perhaps the most important element concerning authenticity as a leader is
understanding the traits and values that are important to you and manifesting
these consistently. To provide a bit of structure and guidance on honing your
authenticity, we provide the following.
The rules of leading with authenticity
1. Know yourself. Authenticity begins and ends with having an understanding
of who you are, how you want to be perceived, as well as what you aspire to be
(understanding what is the best you want to be allows you to manifest your
ideal authentic behaviors).
Get a better idea of who you are and who you want to be. Get feedback, ask
yourself some fundamental questions, identify role models, other leaders whom
you admire, and the specific traits that these individuals embody.
2. Be yourself (but don’t be a jerk). Being authentic is not a license to
oppress others, be obnoxious, and make the lives of others worse because you
are being who you are.
3. Don’t say that you are being authentic. Couching your communication and
actions in saying that you are coming from a place of authenticity is as bad
as saying, “Can I be honest with you?”
4. Don’t force your brand of authenticity on others. Your authentic traits
may not be those of the people around you.
5. Behave consistently. Deeds, not words, best show your authenticity.