What is Authentic Leadership

Organizations today are challenged due to an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). As these environmental stresses continue, renewed focus is on how leaders can guide their organizations. Leaders today need to be agile and resilient, but more importantly, they need an internal “compass” that guides them through these difficult times.

One such way a leader can develop this “compass” is by growing their Authentic Leadership (AL) capacity.

Leaders with Authentic Leadership (AL) , as described by Bill George, leading author on AL, are individuals that :

• understand their purpose

• have strong values about the right thing to do

• have established trusting relationships with others

• have demonstrate self-discipline and act on their values

• are passionate about their mission

“To thy own self be true.” , as stated by Polonius in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, is the first step. This self-discovery includes identifying your strengths, limitations, and values. Having a clear understanding of your values and how those values drive your behaviors is critical. Without this knowledge it is difficult to develop the other components of AL.

Authentic leaders create trust in others by being straightforward and honest. Regardless of the situation, they admit mistakes, are able to ask for help, and are able to show vulnerability. This ability to be genuine results in higher level of trust and in turn creates more productive and effective teams and organizations.

Staying true to one’s owns values requires self-discipline and courage. Leaders with AL have an ethical core and are driven to “do the right thing” . By having the moral courage to stay aligned with one’s values and do what is right influences the culture and often increases leadership effectiveness, trust, and team effectiveness.

Lastly, authentic leaders are passionate about the mission. They are able to put the mission and the goals of the organization ahead of their own self-interest. They do the job in pursuit of results, not for their own power, money or ego.