How refreshing and reassuring it is then, when folks just allow themselves to be who they are--without the persona. It was along these lines that I recently had the privilege of interviewing +Henna Inam, executive coach, speaker, and author of Wired for Authenticity. She also happens to be leading a tribe that is committed to bringing authenticity into the workplace.
In our recorded discussion, Henna described her own struggles with being authentic when she worked in the corporate sector, and how putting herself out in the world by publishing the book was an act of authentic vulnerability.
For me, the topic of authenticity reminds me of a mountaineering metaphor. When we advance in the face of uncertainty (as we do every day), touching into our true-selves is like placing a series pitons on the mountain face as we proceed. By doing so, we can thread the rope of our lives through those pieces, and anchor ourselves to the strength of the mountain so that when adversity comes (as it always does), the impact of our fall is mitigated.
As a leader, knowing who you are and leading from that perspective can be very powerful. The trick is to first become aware of your authentic self and understand your impact on others. The next trick is to always remember to tap into this strength when leading.
On the awareness front, I (and many leaders I know) have done significant self exploration. Being aware of one's most authentic and compelling leadership style is a good start, however, it may not go far enough. Leading from that style is another matter. It's tempting (especially as a fundraising leader) to be like a chameleon to "fit in". Over the years we become conditioned to put on certain masks in certain circumstances. I assert that by doing so, our credibility becomes diminished, and while we may be able to achieve certain nominal results in the short run, transformational results are rarely achieved in the long run.
If you are curious about this topic, Henna shares several good practices in her book that can help strengthen the anchors of authenticity. And, if you're wondering how authentically expressed you are as a leader, then I strongly encourage you to take a complimentary, short (5min) online assessment that Henna created. The assessment looks at the seven practices of authenticity, and it provides direct feedback on how authentic you are, as well as ways you can improve.
In closing I am reminded of what Polonias said to his son Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet: "This above all to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man". Sound advice for leaders today (political or otherwise).
No comments:
Post a Comment