Authentic Leadership: Why Being Yourself is The Best Asset You Have
If we roll back time, it is nearly impossible to ignore the fact that for a long time, leadership rules have been defined by expectations and standards, but the emergence of genuine leadership has changed the dynamics. Those in leadership views being authentic as a weakness however, it is now one of the greatest leadership assets. Women, in particular, have begun to unapologetically take on their roles, offering their comprehensive outlooks, principles, and history. This not only contests the status quo but also enables situations where workers are witnessed, acknowledged, and esteemed. Real leadership is not about wearing a designated cap or being submissive, it is about being yourself and leading with such self-awareness and integrity.
Authentic leadership entails honesty and openness which is often not embodied by people in power. They like to wear a mask and pretend to be someone entirely different than what they truly are. Authentic leaders, however, welcome vulnerability and understand that it is a strength. People admire leaders that are real which is why their approach to the team is commendable. People adore leaders that are real and relatable allowing the leader to earn trust and have a reciprocal respect with their employees. When people feel accepted for who they are, they are more willing to pour their ideas into their work rather than simply doing minimal tasks to get by.
Women politicians have leadership styles that are different from traditional models, as they embrace qualities traditionally seen as weak. A woman leader leans into her feelings; she is willing to feel and show emotions; collaborate, and foster relationships. All these, in fact, are the most potent tools a leader can have. By possessing such qualities, women are changing the narrative of what it means to be a credible leader. They are chipping away at the convention that leadership requires one to be hard, rigid and unyielding. Instead they are proving that leadership is about being understanding, relatable, and inspiring others to do more than they thought they could achieve.
Self-awareness is another quality that authentic leaders exhibit. They are aware of who they are; what they can do and what they cannot do, such understanding helps them with their decision making. Such self-awareness equips them to lead because they are conscious and realistic about who they are and what they can achieve at any given time. Leaders who are authentic have proof to show and are unapologetic of candid moments where they slip. Because they are willing to be vulnerable in this way it sets the tone and expectation that others can speak up and not feel judged, this builds a culture of change and supporting each other. Authentic leaders demonstrate their worth by building trust with their teams through virtue of their imperfections.
In addition, authentic leadership creates a sense of purpose and alignment within organizations. Leaders who lead from an authentic self are aligned to their values and beliefs. They are motivated by a clear purpose which also enables them to formulate strategies that are beneficial to the organization and the stakeholders as well. This strategy is important in the contemporary business environment due to the fact that today’s employees wish to find meaning in their work. When leaders are authentic and demonstrate these values through their day to day duties, they also encourage their teams to act in a similar manner. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated if they realize that their leaders are passionate about the vision of the organization and its impact on society.
Developing relationships is a vital component of authentic leadership, which goes beyond exercising authority. These leaders do not exercise authority over their employees, but instead, willingly strive to fulfil their requirements, goals and genuine needs. Their success is entirely determined by how well their team achieves its goals. If excellence in leadership is hierarchy, bonding nurtures the whole structure. By fostering respect and relationships, leaders ensure that respect and confidence in their skills is nurtured and encouraged to speak out with their assets.
As leaders, we’ve all been trained to be everything strong and invulnerable. Others look up to authentic leaders as a prime example of how to overcome challenges and setbacks. To put it succinctly, real leaders do not hide their struggles or what they have been through. This type of honesty serves to motivate others to embrace the same attitude, paving the way for a resilient culture in which people are not afraid of failure, but rather seek to learn from their failures. When there is a crisis, they are a source of courage – cool and collected – for the entire team. Even in times of chaos, confidence and trust are earned because someone maintains a degree of authenticity.
Women in leadership positions must experience the reality of discrimination and double standards which survive in the very structure of particular sectors. Contrary to being treated equally, women are still subjected to needless scrutiny for their actions in comparison to their male counterparts. On the other hand, there’s a large number of women who possess high executive authority and have demonstrated pragmatism through preserving their personal image. Emancipating the mind from the constraints of the past makes constructive conditions favorable for the achievement of positive changes including the representation of women that leaders practice. The likes of Jacinda Ardern, Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama are known for being leaders that defined authentic leadership and have compassion and strength without the fear of vulnerability in leadership. They have proven that one does not have to compromise one’s true self in order to be granted success.
Authenticity is important in the acquisition and retention of talent. Employees are now more concerned with organizations whose values they identify with. Such employees will be what Tsakloglou & Mangus (2016) call “workers full of faith” and will be attracted to leaders who are ‘authentic’ in that they promote an organizational ethos that is based on being transparent, inclusive, and Godly when making decisions. Employees desire to be led by reputable leaders, and when those leaders are authentic, they generate trust and engagement around them. Authenticity also reinforces interdependence, especially in the case of women or the lesser addressed minorities, who sometimes would suffer for the lack of inclusion. When women choose to be authentic, it means that they want to share their perspectives and experiences and are willing to leave space for other voices to be heard.
The case for genuine leadership is fairly simplistic, the cost-benefit analysis heavily favors it – improved relations, a highly engaged workforce, trust-based culture, and a stronger ability to innovate. While the transformation in the business domain will be significant, there is still some way to go as more and more women leaders get comfortable with their true self. Authentic leadership is not a passing trend; it is a global revolution that is poised to change for good how humanity envisions both leadership and success. Women are at the forefront in demonstrating the correct and effective way to live and work – by simply being yourself.
To summarize, authentic leadership is a revolutionary idea that is out to change the status quo in the business world. Women are reshaping the paradigm by being their authentic self and wielding it as their leadership tool. They are redefining the definition of a leader by breaking the stereotypes of leadership in the first place, and building a culture of trust, collaboration and empowerment within their teams. Authentic leadership is about being real, being vulnerable and being transparent with one’s principles, values and standards. It is being purposeful and focusing on nurturing transformational relationships. For women, being who they really are is not just a tactics to become successful but rather a steppingstone to making a difference.
