The consequences of either of these behaviors are enormous. Businesses are broken or built, careers get destroyed or flourish, lives are upended or enriched and spirits are crushed or uplifted. And yet it is an individual choice. As leaders or even as not one, we get to choose whether we want to be an authentic leader or not. This choice we make, makes us an agent of positive change or a bringer of doom. The trick is to choose wisely.
So what does an authentic leader look like?
-someone who knows the difference they can make to the lives of the people who expect them to show the way
-someone who is acutely aware of their influence and power and refuse to let that intoxicate them, instead harnessing the power and influence to positively impact the lives of their followers
-someone whose every decision is in line with the vision both for themselves as well as the people they lead that is firmly rooted in shared values.
-someone who knows that they do not have all the answers and is not afraid to show that. This act of making themselves vulnerable and open to learning is perhaps the most important characteristic of an authentic leader.
-someone who can quell the anxiety and distress among those being led through displaying empathy, understanding, a sense of calm and competence.
-someone who is ready and willing to take the responsibility for stepping up and putting their hand up to be counted and one that is willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good.
Crises come and they go but authentic leadership stays on forever both in the minds of people as well as the pages of history. At the end of the day, nobody remembers the events that took place but they will always remember the people who made a difference with their behavior and leadership skills.
