In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, authentic leadership has become more crucial than ever. As someone who became a leader at the young age of 22 in a male-dominated industry, I’ve had a unique journey in discovering the power of authenticity.
Throughout my career, from those early days to leading teams, departments and organisations later on, I’ve discovered that embracing my authentic self has been the key to not only personal fulfillment but also to inspiring and guiding others towards success. This journey has been particularly enlightening given the challenges of navigating leadership roles as a young professional in an environment where I often stood out. Let me share with you why authentic leadership matters and how you can uncover your true self to become a more effective leader, regardless of your age or industry.
Why Authentic Leadership Matters
1. Building Trust in a Skeptical World
In an era marked by misinformation and corporate scandals, employees and stakeholders crave leaders they can trust. By being genuine and consistent in your actions and communications, you create a foundation of trust that is essential for any successful organisation.
2. Engaging and Retaining Top Talent
Today’s workforce, particularly younger generations, seeks meaningful work and genuine interactions with their leaders. By leading authentically, you create an environment where employees feel valued and understood, leading to higher engagement and retention rates.
3. Navigating Complexity and Change
The business world is constantly evolving, and authentic leaders are better equipped to guide their teams through uncertainty. Your self-awareness and transparency will help you make difficult decisions and communicate effectively during challenging times.
4. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
Authentic leaders are typically more inclusive and aware of their biases. By valuing each individual’s unique contributions and encouraging open dialogue, you can create a more diverse and innovative workplace.
5. Driving Sustainable and Ethical Practices
As stakeholders increasingly demand ethical and sustainable business practices, authentic leaders are more likely to align their actions with these values, ensuring long-term success and positive social impact.
Finding Your Authentic Self
Now that we understand the importance of authentic leadership, let’s explore how you can uncover and embrace your true self:
1. Engage in Deep Self-Reflection
Take time to identify your core values and beliefs. For me, this process revealed that helping others, encouraging innovation, and fostering team spirit were fundamental to who I am as a leader.
2. Discover Your Passions and Interests
Reflect on activities that energise and fulfill you. In my case, I found that I was most passionate about guiding teams to try new things and push beyond their perceived limitations.
3. Listen to Your Inner Voice
Learn to trust your intuition. As I developed this skill, I found myself making decisions that not only felt right but also resonated with my team members.
4. Embrace Your Unique Qualities
Celebrate what makes you different. For me, this meant leveraging my natural enthusiasm for collaboration and my ability to see potential in others, even when they couldn’t see it themselves.
5. Assess Your Relationships and Environment
Surround yourself with people and create environments that support your authentic self. I’ve found that always being genuinely open for feedback with my team members, and having a mentor (who has been amazing for my personal and professional journey) has been invaluable in my journey. Alongside always learning; be that reading, listening to podcasts, and also reflecting on situations you might see in other organisations as well as your own.
6. Take Action: Live Authentically
Put your authentic self into practice. In my leadership roles, this has meant actively promoting team-building activities, encouraging calculated risk-taking, and always being available to guide and support my team members. There was often fun involved and being outside, my teams always knew that although it was genuinely fun (so they’d remember it) it was also learning for them (and me).
My Personal Journey to Authentic Leadership
Throughout my career, I’ve discovered that my authentic self is deeply rooted in values of helping others, encouraging innovation, and fostering team spirit. But perhaps my most defining characteristic as a leader has been my passion for being people’s biggest fan. I’ve always believed in supporting others to become the best version of themselves, living the life they truly want to live – and this goes far beyond their current job or even their career.
What I mean by that is, that by understanding each person as an individual – their unique aspirations, passions, and needs – I could help and support them in life, not just in their professional development. This approach often surprised new team members. I’d ask, “Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?” and then add, “If you want to be helping people in South Africa, great! Let’s see how we can use and build on your skills to make that happen.”
Some might argue that this approach isn’t true leadership or that it won’t benefit the organisation. They might question why I’d help others when their passions lie elsewhere. But for me, this is precisely what authentic leadership is about. It’s about seeing the whole person, not just the employee, and helping them align their personal growth with their professional development.
This approach reflects my true authentic self and my core values. I believe that when people feel genuinely supported in pursuing their dreams – whatever they may be – they become more engaged, creative, and productive in their current roles. They bring their whole selves to work, contributing in ways that go beyond their job descriptions.
Moreover, this style of leadership builds deep trust and loyalty. Even if team members eventually move on to pursue other passions, they often become valuable alumni, speaking positively about the organisation and sometimes returning with new skills and perspectives.
In my experience, this authentic, person-centred approach to leadership doesn’t just help individuals – it creates a culture of growth, innovation, and mutual support that benefits the entire organisation in the long run.
This realisation has profoundly impacted my leadership style and the results I’ve been able to achieve with my teams. I’ve learned that everyone is different, with unique aspirations and potential. My role as a leader is to recognise and nurture that individuality.
For example, when leading a department through a challenging period of change, I focused on transparency and open communication. By sharing my own concerns and hopes for the future, I created an environment where team members felt comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. This authentic approach not only eased the transition but also led to innovative solutions we might not have discovered otherwise.
Another instance where my authentic leadership style made a difference was in encouraging team members to step out of their comfort zones. By sharing my own experiences of taking risks and learning from failures, I created a safe space for my team to try new things. This resulted in breakthrough projects that significantly impacted our business outcomes.
What’s been most rewarding is the feedback I’ve received from team members over the years. Many have told me, “I’ve never worked for a leader like you before. It’s so refreshing, so different. I feel genuinely supported.” Hearing that they know I have their back and want the best for them as individuals has been incredibly fulfilling. When people feel this level of support, they can truly thrive.
This approach to leadership – being authentically supportive and championing others’ growth – has led to stronger, more engaged teams and better results. It’s not always easy; it requires vulnerability, empathy, and a willingness to put others’ needs first. But the rewards, both in terms of team performance and personal fulfillment, have been immeasurable.
By embracing my authentic self as a leader – someone who genuinely cares about others’ success and well-being – I’ve been able to create work environments where people feel valued, understood, and motivated to give their best. This, I believe, is the true power of authentic leadership: when you show up as your genuine self, focused on lifting others up, you create a ripple effect of positivity and high performance throughout your organisation.
The Human Side of Authentic Leadership
One of the most powerful aspects of authentic leadership that I’ve discovered is that it allows you to be genuinely human. This might sound strange at first – after all, aren’t we all human? But in the context of leadership, there’s often pressure to appear infallible, all-knowing, and always in control. Plus from a new team member who might not have worked with an authentic leader before it shows you are approachable and a support of theirs.
However, I’ve found that embracing and displaying your humanity can be a tremendous asset:
1. Showing Empathy: By acknowledging and sharing your own emotions, you create space for others to do the same. This fosters a more supportive and understanding work environment. I’ve seen firsthand how this can lead to stronger team bonds and improved collaboration.
2. Admitting Mistakes: Nobody’s perfect, and pretending to be so only creates distance between you and your team. When I’ve made mistakes and openly acknowledged them, it’s not only helped me learn and grow but also encouraged a culture where team members feel safe to take risks and learn from failures.
3. Being a Team Player: Authentic leadership isn’t about always being at the forefront. Sometimes, it means rolling up your sleeves and working alongside your team. By doing so, you demonstrate that you’re not above any task and that you value every contribution to the team’s success.
4. Showing Up: Being authentic means being present, both physically and emotionally. It’s about engaging genuinely with your team, not just in formal meetings but in day-to-day interactions. I’ve found that these small moments of authentic connection often have the biggest impact on team morale and productivity.
By embracing these human aspects of leadership, you create a more relatable and approachable persona. This doesn’t diminish your authority; rather, it enhances your ability to connect with and inspire your team. Your authenticity gives others permission to be authentic too, fostering a work environment where people feel valued, understood, and motivated to give their best.
Conclusion
Authentic leadership is not just a buzzword; it’s a powerful approach that can transform your effectiveness as a leader and the success of your organisation. By embracing your true self, you’ll not only find greater personal fulfillment but also inspire and empower those around you to reach their full potential.
Remember, becoming an authentic leader is an ongoing journey. Continuously reflect on your values, listen to your inner voice, and have the courage to be genuinely yourself. As you do, you’ll find that your ability to guide and inspire others will grow, leading to more engaged teams, innovative solutions, and sustainable success.
At Cognitive Union, we specialise in leadership training that helps leaders develop and practice Authenticity and self awareness, fostering a positive and productive organisational culture. Explore our programs and start your journey towards authentic leadership today.