The journey to authentic leadership begins with understanding the story of your life. Your life story provides context for your experiences; through it, you can find inspiration to make an impact in the world. Many leaders are motivated through difficult experiences, choosing to find opportunity and discovering their passion to lead.
Leaders are recommended to develop self-awareness. Self-awareness allows the person to know their authentic selves, it requires being vulnerable, honest and courage to face the honest truth. The values that hold as a basis of one’s leadership is derived from beliefs and convictions. Only under pressure will one know their true values.
It is also useful for leaders to understand their extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsically, many leaders are propelled to achieve by measuring success against the outside world’s parameters. They enjoy the recognition and status with promotions and financial rewards. Intrinsic motivations are from one’s sense in the meaning of life; whether it is by personal growth, helping others, making a difference in the world, etc.
Leading is high-stress work; the leader is responsible for people, organizations, outcomes and managing constant uncertainties of the environment. The fulfillment in authentic leadership is derived from empowering others.
Written Sept. 24, 2012. Material from “Discovering Your Authentic Leadership” by George, Sims, McLean and Mayer.
