Authenticity

Authentic leadership has been a hot topic for years. Many in our society demand that leaders step into authenticity and others warn that authenticity can be dangerous, especially if one’s worst side comes out while being authentic.

Bill George who wrote the book Authentic Leadership helped bring authenticity to the forefront in 2003. George defined authentic leaders as genuine, moral, and character-based and connected authenticity with clarity. Additionally, his definition gave me clarity in understanding that authenticity is elastic, not rigid, meaning that our authentic self has many sides. When we use different sides of ourselves it allows for a multitude of perspectives, which expands our capacity to connect with others. Perspective taking opens possibilities for us to become more engaging, likeable and open which are all key for connection with others, leadership, and performance.

Conversely, we have all been around inauthentic leaders. The politician. The survivalist. It can be an exhausting experience—not knowing exactly where you stand day to day. A guarded approach that doesn’t step into the vulnerability of truth. Beyond the feelings that I have experienced with inauthentic leaders, Francesca Gino is a behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School who found that when people are inauthentic, their stress levels increase, and their performance takes a hit.

As you finish the week, hopefully this can serve as a reminder to step into your authentic self. Authenticity doesn't mean speaking your mind all of the time. Nobody needs to do that. A filter for your thoughts is an intentional, genuine and necessary act. Going head to mouth with no care for those around you does not mean you are authentic; it means you are a self-absorbed jerk. Being empathetically authentic is possible. We can hold two things at once. Listening, asking questions and empowering others can all be great forms of authenticity too.

Authenticity is about having the courage to be vulnerable and share genuine sides of yourself when it's appropriate to do so. For leaders, it's essential. Go toward the clarity. Be courageous enough to show who you are to those you interact with. When you do that, you are stepping into the best version of yourself.