| I enjoy researching relevant topic areas and creating workshops that bring the subject to life. The other day, I tackled authenticity and authentic leadership and had the privilege of testing the content with 19 professionals with diverse backgrounds and experience levels for Charleston Leaders, a local non-profit. The framework I used is from emotional intelligence, the EQ-i 2.0 Leadership Report, stating, “An authentic leader serves as a role model for moral and fair behavior. A transparent approach commands esteem and confidence from employees”. The six components include Self-Regard (confidence), Self-Actualization (self-improvement), Emotional Self-Awareness (understanding your own emotions), Independence (being self-directed), Social Responsibility (socially conscious), and Reality Testing (seeing things as they really are). We also talked about authenticity in communication and how to show up authentically. Some of the things that most resonated with participants included having the confidence to show up as their authentic selves, the value of giving back to others, listening with curiosity, a passion for leading authentically, and the importance of investing in their growth and development. What is holding you back from being more authentic? |
| Worth The Share |
| I remember a former client who was reasonably successful and well thought of internally, yet, she could not be her authentic self and lead authentically. A woman of color and gay, she told me she never felt safe enough to be her true self at work and never thought she could open up. As a leader, are you creating a secure environment for your team members to be themselves? |
| Having an authentic culture matters. It leads to better, more productive work relationships, higher trust, greater productivity, and more positivity. In this article from Forbes, the author, Ralph Kellogg, shares a story about a time, earlier in his career, when he thought he had joined a company that encouraged everyone to bring their whole selves to work. He goes on to say that he received feedback when asking about his potential for career advancement that he should “tone down his gayness.” Clearly, they were only authentic “to a point.” He concludes with: “Authenticity does not require agreement or a complete understanding. It does require a willingness to listen and a desire to remain curious without judging or demanding that people change to conform to predefined standards.” That is the key. Listen with curiosity, be open, ask questions to learn about your colleagues, develop trusting, respectful relationships, and be authentic. Read The Authenticity Myth: What Authentic Cultures Are Really Made Of. |
| #wisewords “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” — Brené Brown |
| And Finally… |
| With Memorial Day behind us, summer has unofficially started. Here in Charleston, the schools are already out, and kids are biking around, heading to the pools or beach, and eating ice cream. Life is good. As you think about your summer plans, build in some time to reflect on the first half of 2024. What did you learn? What areas of your life might you want to reevaluate? What can you let go of to be a more authentic you? |
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