pic for authentic blog

With Thanksgiving behind us, it is now time to talk turkey about where and how we are leading as the year is winding down. I’ve been working with a group of managers in a marketing firm for the past year, delving into what leadership means to each of their jobs and teams. It’s been a fascinating journey for each of these leaders, sharing and learning from one another. They have formed their own unique community within the organization, committed to empowering themselves and their teams to trust one another and support competing interests.

The final session will take place this week where we are going to explore and create each leader’s personal code of leadership. The question we will attempt to answer is:

What does authentic leadership look like?

Here are four ways to begin the journey:

 BE HONEST WHO YOU ARE

Authentic leadership involves leading with truth– who you are down to your core. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep peeling the layers back to get to our true leadership brand because it requires searching within each of us to locate our values and dreams. Try answering these critical questions:

  • What really excites you during your day?
  • Have you tuned into your ethical compass that guides your actions and choices?
  • Who do you connect with that sees your worth? Are there any other people you need to spend more time with?

[Tweet “Discover your true code of leadership to lead with authenticity.”]

 SPEND TIME ON WHAT MATTERS TO YOU

Sure we have responsibilities that we have to do that may not thrill us, but we also need to fill our days with enough meaningful work. Think about how you might be able to bring personal value to your daily jobs and routines. Can you schedule a talk with someone to learn more about another aspect of your organization? Can you use your creativity in the project you are working on to make it feel more like your brand? How can you bring play or fun into your world of work or personal life?

 SKETCH OUT A LEADERSHIP COAT OF ARMS

To bring out the authentic you, it can be helpful to visually create a leadership coat of arms that answers these questions:

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  1. First square- Draw something that describes your strengths as an authentic leader
  2. Second square- Sketch something about your personality
  3. Third square- State four of your values
  4. Fourth square- Write out your leadership motto

[Tweet “Create a leadership coat of arms to guide your decisions.”]

OUTLINE YOUR NEXT STEPS FORWARD

Before the year comes to a close, start your authentic leadership move with purpose and structure. Decide what steps need to be taken and when. Talk it over with colleagues or friends once you decide what authentic leadership means to you. Maybe they have ideas of other ways you can integrate some of your truth into your leadership brand. In any case, don’t delay as figuring out what authentic leadership means to you is the key to being a confident and nurturing leader.

How do you lead with authenticity? What steps have you taken to expose your leadership truths?

(Coat of Arms photo by Pasukaru76)

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