Sometimes in the midst of our consulting here at Innate Leaders, the conversation turns to authentic leadership. And the conversation more often than not revolves around one question: how can authentic leadership be more than a phrase or a buzz word?
What I think those people are asking is, “How do I find the authentic leader in me?”
It’s true that since everything we do comes from us, everything we do is authentic. At work that kind of argument can justify all sorts of things from a failure to delegate to micro-managing. Because after all, if I micro-manage than surely a micro manager is who I am. Or if I’m short with people, that’s me being who I am unglossed.
It’s true everything we do is us, it’s not true that everything we do comes from the highest part of us. Or to say it another way, it’s not true that everything we do is authentic.
The Authenticity Continuum
Think about authenticity as being on a continuum of behaviours. On one end there’s the behaviour of active involvement in what’s going on around us whether or not we agree. We do that because we think we’re supposed to; because we think we’d get sacked if we don’t; or just because everyone else is doing it. On the other end of the continuum we do and say nothing, so things continue we know to be wrong.
In the middle we say and what we do is congruent with what we believe. Authenticity.
The Fork In The Road
Now imagine this. When something happens a fork appears in the road ahead of us, and with that fork, there’s a feeling. It’s an important feeling because it’s the one that’s telling us what we really feel about what’s happening. Whether we listen to that feeling or not determines if the next thing we do is authentic.
A Simple Idea
We all have the ability to lead with authenticity. It takes courage and practice. Making that as easy as possible can’t be a bad idea.
So how’s this for a place to start?
See if you can locate the feeling that arises when the fork in road appears. Where does it sit? In your stomach? In your throat? Somewhere else? Connect with that feeling by focusing on it.
The more you connect the more familiar you become with it. And the more familiar you become with it, the sooner you recognise it. And the sooner you recognise it, the more time you have to react. And the more time you have to react the greater the chance you’ll make a choice you’re proud of.
And that will be an authentic choice.
Please come and visit us on Stand E140 at World of Learning Conference and Exhibition.