Why is authentic leadership important?
This is the second of a three-part series in a look at Authentic Leadership. If you missed the first article, What Is Authentic Leadership, take moment to read that prior to picking up on this one.There are many reasons why authentic leadership is important, here are a few of the most critical elements that come from developing your authentic style.
Influence requires trust
If you want to influence others as a leader - and that is the primary outcome of leadership - you will need to build trust. Think for a moment who the people are in your life that you trust the most. Now, think about why you trust them. That is the best starting point on how you can ensure others trust you. Do you tell the truth, the whole truth? Do you share your thoughts regularly, even if they may be unpopular? Do you share your feelings? This is different from thoughts: feelings will connect you at a closer level to your team? It is OK to allow your team to know that you may have struggled with a decision, or that it took some time for you to agree fully with the direction. That makes you human. Human qualities will connect you to other people and that will lead to trust.
Trust Builds Belief
Trust will build belief in you as a leader. People want someone they can follow. If they are going to invest their time, effort, and energy into something, they want to know it is for a good cause. That cause in many cases is you. It is not the Company or the specific initiative, it is you and what you represent to them as individuals.
Belief Allows Influence
Influence is your ability to align your team with your beliefs. Can you share the vision in such a way that they want to take the journey with you? Is the purpose of what you are doing clear? That will build commitment. There will be obstacles and naysayers along the way, can you steer your team around and through those? You will need to convert the people who are on the fence into true believers. Your authenticity with your team will define the depth of your ability to influence. If your team believes in you and trusts your guidance, you will be able to influence many people to follow your path.
Trust, Belief, and Influence all Create Engagement
When you combine the components of trust, belief, and influence together you create engagement at a high level. This is leadership at its pinnacle. Some call this Level 5 leadership. In his book Good to Great Jim Collins defines Level 5 Leadership as one who builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical combination of personal humility plus professional will. You can also find more information in his Harvard Business Review Article or Level 5 Leadership from Mindtools.com. With engagement, you know you have a team that is committed to the vision, each mission, and the purpose you have set out to achieve. Authentic Leadership paves the wave for this to occur.In the final part of the three-part series on Authentic Leadership, we will explore how you can become a more authentic leader yourself.Why do you see authenticity as being important in your leadership style? Click here or on the comments button above to share your thoughts.