Authentic leaders are a rare and valuable commodity in the business world. They are genuine, transparent, and consistent, and they have the ability to inspire and motivate others to be their best selves. But what sets authentic leaders apart from the rest? What qualities and characteristics do they possess that allow them to be so effective?
Here are four things that authentic leaders do well:
Honor their commitments: Authentic leaders understand the importance of keeping their word and following through on their commitments. They are reliable and trustworthy, and they do everything in their power to fulfill their promises. By honoring their commitments, they build credibility and trust with their team and colleagues.
Don’t seek approval or validation through popularity: Authentic leaders have the courage to do what is right, even if it is not the easiest or most popular choice. They are not swayed by external pressures or the opinions of others, and they stand firm in their values and beliefs. By standing up for what they believe in, they inspire others to do the same.
Admit mistakes: Authentic leaders are not afraid to admit when they have made a mistake. They understand that nobody is perfect and that it is important to learn from our mistakes. By admitting their mistakes and taking responsibility for them, they demonstrate their authenticity and integrity.
Live by their values: Authentic leaders are true to themselves and live in accordance with their own values. They do not compromise their beliefs or values for the sake of convenience or popularity, and they inspire others to do the same. By living according to their own values, they create a positive, authentic culture within their organization.
As a leader, right now your team (and career) need your authenticity more than ever. But to be successful, you must also develop a strong self-awareness so that your authenticity creates a positive difference for yourself and others.
Lead From Within: The Authentic leader inspires trust by being genuine and by living in accordance with their values.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.