The word authentic is traditionally defined as “real or genuine; not copied or false.” When used in the context of leadership, I describe it as, “how a leader demonstrates and shares their genuine values, stories, and desires.”
Managers meet their team’s basic needs, leaders meet their team’s advanced needs.
Great leaders don’t lose sight of the power of their words, even long after they have said them. This is why they use simple and positive phrases to communicate to their team.
When a person holds a position of power and authority without clear, candid information about how their actions or behaviors affect their teams, it’s a recipe for disaster.
While the position a leader is in often comes with built-in respect, it can’t and won’t sustain respect for an extended period. Respect is earned, and it’s earned through a lot of hard work and correct decision making. As Paulo Coelho said, “Respect is for those who deserve it, not for those who demand it.”
If you are going to be a leader who defines reality, it’s time to take off the rose-colored glasses and paint an accurate picture of where your company or team is today, in light of the coronavirus.
