Friday, May 13, 2011
Authentic Leadership
This article speaks of how leadership is not simply something we do but rather how it comes from somewhere inside us. As the author says, “Leadership is a process, an intimate expression of who we are. It’s our being in action. At its deepest level, leadership is authentic self-expression that creates value.” Listed in the article, are 3 core principles in viewing leadership from this vantage point. These core principles/questions are: 1. How authentic are we? 2. How deep and broad is our self-expression? 3. How much value are we creating?
The author highlights that the foundation of leadership is authenticity and to be able to express ourselves more authentically. “Leaders must expand their competencies from simply getting results to authentically adding value through synergy.” I that there was a great deal of power in the notion that ultimately, a leader is not judged by how well he or she leads, but by how well he or she serves. And this serving encompasses how we server our organization, our people, our customers, our marketplace, our community, and our family. I really appreciated that the author illustrated that “As leaders, when we move from control to service, we acknowledge that we’re not the sole origin of achievement. This shift is an emotional and spiritual breakthrough. Life flows through us and we simply play our role.” Authenticity is something that I feel people long for in all relational aspects and committing oneself is a lifelong process of authentically growing as a person in order to grow as a leader.
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As I read this article I was struck by some of the same thoughts as you, but I also thought about how this being a secular article the move to Servant Leadership is evident and the author was using many of Christ’s teachings and the second commandment don’t you think?
ReplyDeleteKnow yourself authentically -. “Seek to be the right partner.” Treat others better than yourself.
Listen authentically – “listening with a giving attitude that seeks to bring forth the contribution in someone. . .” Love your neighbor as yourself.
Express authentically – “straight talk that creates value.” Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
Appreciate Authentically – “Appreciation (love) is one type of self-expression that creates value. It energizes people and makes people want to exceed their goals and perceived limits.” Love your neighbor as yourself.
Serve Authentically – “When leaders move from control to service, we acknowledge that we’re not the sole origin of achievement. This shift is an emotional and spiritual breakthrough.”
I just saw this through the Biblical value it has, I was also struck how the author used the word “appreciation” rather than “love” because of the cultural taboo that “love” has when discussing business. Though, he said that “love” is what made this leadership possible.