A Real Authentic Leader - Have You Seen One Lately?

Leadership is a crucial element in any organization, whether it is a business, a government, or a nonprofit. Leaders guide their teams towards success, and outstanding leaders are those who display qualities that inspire and motivate their team members. However, not all leaders are created equal. Some may have the title of "leader," but they lack the qualities that make them a real authentic leader.

I ask in the title 'A real authentic leader - Have you seen one lately?' because it seems they are getting harder to find.

Definition Of A Real Authentic Leader

This is a commonly held definition when talking about authentic leadership.

“Authentic leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on transparent and ethical leader behavior and encourages open sharing of information needed to make decisions while accepting followers’ inputs.”

The Authentic Leadership Model is a leadership style that emphasizes the importance of transparent and ethical behavior by leaders. This leadership style was first proposed by Bill George in his book "Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value" and has since become an influential and widely accepted leadership theory.

The Authentic Leadership Model encourages leaders to focus on their own personal values and beliefs, to build strong relationships with their followers, to be transparent in their communication, and to act with ethical integrity in all their decisions and actions. The model suggests that by practicing these behaviors, leaders can create a more productive work environment and inspire greater confidence and motivation in their followers.

Using this definition, several examples of real authentic leaders come to mind.

• Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of the Civil Rights Movement

• Sam Palmisano, former CEO of IBM

• Oprah Winfrey, actress, former television show host

• Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

• Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox

• Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple

• Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady

• Warren Buffett, investor, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

What then are the key attributes of men and women on this list to look for and emulate?

Displays Genuine Empathy Towards Others

Authentic leaders are those who can put themselves in their team members’ shoes and see things from their perspective. They are sensitive to the needs of their team members and show genuine concern for their well-being. Not only are they working towards their goals, they are taking care to ensure their team members are happy. This empathy helps build trust and respect between the leader and the team members.

A real authentic leader would take the time to understand why a team member is struggling with a task rather than reprimanding them. They offer support and guidance to help the employee improve rather than making them feel incompetent. Showing empathy towards team members fosters a culture of compassion and understanding within the organization.

A real authentic leader also recognizes that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. They do not expect everyone to perform at the same level and will make accommodations for those who need it. They understand everyone has a unique perspective and contribution to make, and they encourage diversity and inclusivity within the team.

Leads By Example, Not Just Words

An authentic leader is not just someone who gives orders and expects others to follow them blindly. They lead by example and set the standard for their team members to follow. Team members know the authentic leader won't ask them to do anything that they would not do themselves. They're willing to work directly with their team.

For example, a real authentic leader would not ask their team members to work overtime without being willing to do so themselves. They would not ask their team members to take on a hard task without being willing to take on a similar task themselves. By leading by example, the leader earns the respect of their team members and inspires them to work harder and more effectively.

A real authentic leader is not afraid to make tough decisions or take risks. Nor shy away from challenges and will take responsibility for their actions. They are not afraid to admit when they are wrong and take steps to rectify the situation. They are confident and decisive, but also humble enough to seek advice and feedback when needed.

Maintains Integrity And Honesty In All Actions

An authentic leader is someone who holds themselves to a high standard of integrity and honesty. Transparent in their actions and hide nothing from their team members. They do not engage in unethical behavior or compromise their values for personal gain. They are straightforward in their communication, even if it is difficult.

For instance, a real authentic leader would not make promises they cannot keep. They would not hide information from their team members or present a false image of themselves. They would admit when they do not have the answer to a question and seek to find it rather than pretending to have all the answers. By maintaining integrity and honesty in all their actions, the leader inspires trust and loyalty from their team members.

A real authentic leader also recognizes the importance of ethical behavior within the organization. They ensure that everyone within the team follows the same ethical standards and holds themselves to the same high level of integrity. They do not tolerate unethical behavior or allow it to go unchecked.

Encourages Growth And Development In Team Members

An authentic leader is someone who recognizes the potential in their team members and encourages them to develop their skills and abilities. They provide opportunities for growth and development to support their team members in achieving their goals.

For example, a real authentic leader would provide opportunities for team members to attend training sessions or conferences to enhance their skills. They would also provide feedback and constructive criticism to help team members improve their performance. By encouraging growth and development in their team members, the leader helps create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

A real authentic leader also recognizes that mistakes and failures are an essential part of the learning process. They do not punish team members for making mistakes, but use them as opportunities for growth and development. They provide support and guidance to help team members learn from their mistakes and become better at their jobs.

Admits Mistakes And Takes Responsibility For Actions

An authentic leader is someone who will admit when they are wrong and take responsibility for their actions. They do not blame others for their mistakes or try to shift the blame onto someone else. They are humble enough to recognize that they are not perfect and will learn from their mistakes.

For example, a real authentic leader would apologize to their team members if they made a mistake that affected the team's performance. They would take responsibility for the mistake and take steps to rectify the situation. By admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for their actions, the leader shows accountability and integrity.

A real authentic leader also recognizes that mistakes and failures are an essential part of the learning process. They do not punish team members for making mistakes, but use them as opportunities for growth and development. They provide support and guidance to help team members learn from their mistakes and with a new mindset get better results next time.

Remains Positive And Optimistic, Even In Tough Situations

An authentic leader is someone who maintains a positive and optimistic attitude, even in tough situations. They do not let setbacks or failures bring them down, but use them as opportunities to learn and grow. They remain focused on the future and inspire their team members to do the same.

A genuine leader stays hopeful during a difficult time in the organization. They provide support and guidance to their team members and work to find solutions to the problem at hand. By remaining positive and optimistic, the leader inspires their team members to remain focused and motivated.

A real authentic leader also recognizes the importance of celebrating successes and milestones within the organization. They take the time to recognize the achievements of their team members and celebrate their successes. By doing so, the leader fosters a culture of positivity and appreciation within the team.

“Be Yourself - Everyone Else Is Already Taken!”

In conclusion, a real authentic leader is someone who displays empathy, integrity, honesty, and accountability.

• She leads by example and encourages growth and development in their team members.

• He actively listens to feedback and incorporates it into their decision-making process.

• They admit mistakes and take responsibility for their actions and remain positive and optimistic, even in difficult situations.

• By embodying these qualities, they inspire and motivate their team members to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Remember what Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken!”

A real authentic leader gives no thought to what others think of them. The mindset that guides their actions is based on clarity of their why. They have found clarity about what is the one thing, their superpower, and don't pretend to know it all. Ultimately, the real authentic leader is on a mission to change the world one person at a time.

Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level and be a real, authentic leader?