Bill George wrote a book called, Authentic Leader, that helps us to rediscover the secret to lasting value. I want to share with you what he writes and what I am thinking on these days about authentic leadership.
Authentic leaders demonstrate five qualities:
- They understand their purpose – to find your purpose, you must first understand yourself, your passions, and your underlying motivations. Then you must seek an environment that offers a fit between the organization’s purpose and your own.
- They practice solid values – leaders are defined by their values and their character. Integrity is the one value that is required in every authentic leader.
- They lead with heart - when employees believe their work has a deeper purpose, their results will vastly exceed those who use only their minds and their bodies.
- They establish connected relationships – today’s employees demand more personal relationships with their leaders before they will give themselves fully to their jobs.
- They demonstrate self-discipline - we must have good values and the capacity and ability to convert those into consistent actions.
Acquiring the five dimensions of an authentic leader is not a sequential process; rather, leaders are developing them continuously throughout their lives. I think of them as five intersecting circles that blend together to form the authentic leader.
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