Authenticity is a big, bold, ambitious word and goal for leaders. It’s also a destination without a clear path to get there. There is no roadmap that can be “copy and pasted” as it’s unique for each one of us. Or at least it should be. Authenticity means staying true to your values, playing to your strengths, being vulnerable, blazing your own path, and also allowing others to be authentic. I was interviewed recently on the How We Solve Podcast with Sean Li and he asked me for a 3-step process to be more authentic. I thought I would share those 3 steps here along with a bonus step to help you become more authentic.
What Does it Mean to Be an Authentic Leader?
Authenticity. It’s a word we hear all the time. But what does it really mean to be an authentic leader? The term is thrown around loosely in leadership and professional development circles and often becomes a nebulous concept in peoples’ minds. Rather than provide a purely academic definition of authenticity, I have included examples of authenticity in action below based on my own experience.