Time to be an Authentic Leader

There has never been a time when transparency and authenticity have been more important in leadership. This is a time when people are fearful, uncertain of the future, worried about the health of their loved ones and are looking for guidance and direction. This is when true leadership will shine.

The terms ‘transparency’ and ‘authenticity’ have been bandied around like a mantra for some time.

Let’s break these down.

Transparency – ‘the condition of being transparent’

Authenticity – ‘the quality of being authentic’

Note one is a condition and the other a quality.

An authentic leader will behave and operate in a way that shows honesty and openness.

To be authentic is to be genuine, real, to represent your true beliefs.

Now, I have met and worked with some truly ‘authentic’ people who have been an absolute nightmare.

So what makes an authentic leader?

The answer lies in their beliefs. They have taken the time to reflect on their beliefs and the experiences which created them, to determine if they are true and relevant. They have studied situations and triggers which have caused them to react with emotion.

To know, understand and manage your own emotions is the first step of emotional intelligence. Only then can you hope to understand the behaviour of others.

This may feel over-simplistic and this is nothing new to you, however, the real question being, how the present circumstances have affected your ability to lead effectively.

At this present time when so many people have reverted to our very basic instincts of Fight or Flight (over toilet roles, unfortunately), it is a leader’s responsibility to restore calm and rationality.

Are you able to manage your own emotions whilst navigating this crisis?

Are you an authentic leader?

Are you leading with reassuring transparency?

Are you able to lead remotely with empathy?

There is no better time than now to strengthen your own Emotional Intelligence skills – it starts with YOU.
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