10 Essential Actions to Develop as an Authentic Leader

It was a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. The boardroom was tense as the CEO and his top executives faced off in a heated argument. Things had been going downhill for the company for months, and it seemed like no one could agree on how to fix things.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and in walked a man who had been hired as the new head of Sales and Marketing. Owing to his brief delay, he didn't say a word but simply sat down at the table and began to take notes. The room fell silent as everyone waited to see what he would do in the face of the argument.

The CEO glared at him and asked angrily, "So what do you think we should do?" The new hire looked up from his notepad and said calmly, "I think we should start by listening to each other."

This was one of those rare moments of just-in-time leadership development that I was privileged to experience. Since that event, I've worked with executives and aspiring leaders to develop their effective and genuine approaches to leading others.

My reflections and experiences with successful executives led to developing this article of 10 essential actions to develop your capability, capacity, and potential to lead authentically. As you practice these approaches, you will significantly benefit your customers, followers, and organization.

Be self-aware. Without understanding your motivations, values, and strengths, it will be difficult to lead effectively. Therefore, it is essential to know yourself before you can hope to lead others. One way to develop self-awareness is through regular reflection and feedback from others.

Inspire trust. As a leader, people will look to you for guidance and direction. You must be honest and transparent in your actions and words to gain others' trust. Furthermore, keeping your promises and following through on your commitments is essential to authentic leadership practice.

Communicate effectively. Influential leaders know how to communicate their vision and ideas to inspire others. They are also able to listen attentively and provide feedback that is helpful and constructive.

Be decisive. When faced with difficult decisions, it is important to trust your instincts and make a decision that you believe is best for the situation. Remember, however, that it is also essential to be open to input from others and to consider all options before making a final decision. Be relentless in pursuit of practical decision-making approaches.

Be adaptable. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential for any leader. By being flexible and open-minded, you will be better able to respond to new challenges and opportunities as they arise.

Be passionate. Authentic leaders are passionate about their work and their goals. This passion is a source of motivation and inspiration for those around them.

Be involved. To be an effective leader, you must be fully committed to your cause or organization. This means being willing to make sacrifices and putting the needs of others above your own.

Be positive. Authentic leaders radiate positivity and optimism. They see the potential in every situation and believe in possibilities. This positive outlook is a source of hope and motivation for those around them.

Be true to your humanistic values. The most effective leaders are those who are faithful to themselves. They lead with integrity and act by their values and beliefs. As a result, they inspire trust and respect from those around them.

Practice what you preach. Authentic leaders live their values and beliefs. They walk the talk and lead by example. This provides a strong foundation for others to follow.

In today's ever-changing business landscape, the need for effective organizational leadership is the one constant. Enterprises that can adapt and thrive in times of upheaval will have authentic leaders at the helm. Authentic leadership is in short supply; developing this approach will help your team and organization to perform beyond expectations.

By practicing the ten essential actions listed above, you can develop your authentic leadership style and positively impact those around you. Doing so will set your team or organization up for success in today's competitive landscape.

Thank you for reading. I hope this article has inspired you to develop your authentic leadership style. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. I would love to hear from you!