Teaching kids the meaning of true leadership is challenging in our current culture. It seems as if thought leaders pop up daily, appearing in every corner of our social media driven world. Often it feels like a circus where outrageous, poor examples of leaders jockey for the limelight. And as inspirational or colorful as some leaders may be, not every thought leader leads from the inside out, meaning they really don’t stand for anything outside of just making the most money they can, amassing power or increasing their status. Many talk just to be heard, merely relying on being the loudest voice in the room instead of truly being a person of substance who can get things done. Unfortunately, core values, like honor and integrity are often sacrificed for the sake of empty rhetoric being screamed to the masses, stirring up hostility instead of breeding hope.
Ok, I will get off my soap box now. I just had to get that little bit off my chest. Now having said that, there is some good.
As overwhelming as the leadership landscape can be, it is not always a bad thing. Why? Because today we all have a voice. That same voice we hear on videos, on podcasts, in the media can now be ours. Today we all can stand and truly be counted. No longer do we exist to just plainly serve as a voiceless cog in a systemic or corporate machine, but now we can share ideas and passions that truly show our strengths and intelligence. We no longer have to wait until someone hopefully recognizes our potential. Instead we can shine, we can bring awareness to our passions for who we are and what we can do.
BUT….
What leader will you follow? Or better yet, what leader will you be?
I have found it to be the case that the individuals most worth following are those who are truly passionate about what they believe in, and why they do what they do. Leaders of this type are referred to as "authentic", individuals so imbued with purpose that they are driven to pursuing their highest potential. They are focused individuals who understand their own values and constantly work to build on their strengths and the strengths of others. The are intentional about how they live. They make power decisions aligned with what’s most important to them. This authenticity gives them a confidence and resolve that creates trust and inspires others.
If you strive to be an authentic leader at work or at home then that means people should be confident that what they hear and see on the outside matches with what’s on the inside. You must be clear about what your values are and what your underlying purpose is. You must demonstrate in your various leadership roles that you are intentional. You are focused on making decisions in the course of your work/life that support the life you want to live and the legacy you are leaving behind; that’s what authentic leadership is truly about.
I have worked with a number of successful people over the last several years, paying particular attention to identifying common behavioral elements and character traits. And, of all the leaders I have worked with, I have found the following three to be the most common.
1. Self-Awareness
Authentic leaders are constantly aware of who they are. They are consistently engaged in self-reflection to clearly understand their own values, strengths and purpose. They focus on who they are and what they want to accomplish, rather than just being the loudest voice in the room.
They do not merely TELL you how good they are, but instead SHOW you how good they are.
Early in my career, I had a job in the nonprofit sector. My boss at the time was a seasoned fundraiser and marketer; he taught us everything we needed to know about donor relations and cultivating leads. Now, he could have just taught us and then retreated to his office but when it came to put into action what we had learned, he was always available for support. Like a well seasoned coach, he was always on the sidelines, supporting us as we met with donors and tackled leads. At times many found themselves getting stuck or hitting a wall, but his supportive nature and grounded sense of motivational support kicked in and he coached us on calls and donor outreach. It turned out donor relations and fundraising were his life, and he took great pride in, not only the work he did, but sharing what he had learned with others, and seeing his team succeed.
This kind of self-awareness is contagious because it instills commitment and confidence that communicates the kind of dedication that builds trust and courage in others.
2. Self-Alignment
Authentic leaders are intentional every day and possess clear purpose of what they want to accomplish. They know what they want to contribute to society and are focused on the impact they want to leave on the world. They are engaged in work that matters, not only to them but to the world around them.
When it comes down to it, everyday and every way, authentic leaders are focused on making a difference. They’re intentional about creating real impact on others, and developing empowering change in everything around them.
3. Self-Management
Authentic leaders are efficient self-managers. They practices routines and habits that support their purpose and goals, and refrain from those that do not. Their purpose is focused on setting daily goals and making the most of their time. They are also very methodical in developing motivation and concentration skills to help overcome stress and avoid the lure of procrastination.
They are dedicated self learners, and recognize the importance and value of self-managed learning. As such, they are constantly learning productive coping tools to handle problems and manage stressful situations effectively. They develop a working understanding that a completely stress-free work environment is rare and workplace stress, left unchecked, reduces productivity, increases pressures and affects performance and concentration.
So there you have it, the three traits of an authentic leader.
Until the next one,
Ed Munoz