As a leader you should have a good idea of what you want to achieve in your role, but have you taken the time to think about the type of leader you want to be in getting there?
There are many different attributes that make a good leader, but remember you cannot be all things to all people. It’s important that you keep a flexible approach in your leadership style; there will be times you need to be more transactional and directive, but there will also be times where you’ll need to adapt your style to be more visionary and set a course for people to follow. The most important thing throughout your leadership journey is that no matter which style you use at any point, you should keep your personality intact while leading. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not – be authentic.
Authentic leaders know their own values, beliefs and strengths. Regardless of a situation, an authentic leader will stick to these and communicate them to their team members. This builds trust, helping you as a leader to nurture relationships and inspire people.
Here are five simple ways to increase your authenticity in your team’s eyes:
- Open up
Share details about your hobbies or interests outside of work to help people understand more about you as an individual – show them you’re human. Host ‘open office’ hours to enable colleagues to speak to you at a given time, be approachable and open to conversations with your team.
- Be yourself
Authentic leaders are originals, not copies. They stick to their values, play to their strengths and acknowledge their weaknesses. You can pick up ideas and inspiration from the Richard Bransons and Steve Jobs of this world, but you’re unique and have to find your own style.
- Transparent Communication
How effectively do you convey information? Do you help your team understand the bigger picture? Do you help them understand the reasons behind change? Authentic leaders understand they can’t know everything and it’s important to listen to ideas and feedback. They encourage opposing views and alternate perspectives.
- Admit Mistakes
Let’s face it – nobody’s perfect and like everyone else on the planet, you’ll make mistakes. The key is to recognise your mistakes, share them with your team and ask for their help to solve the issue and learn from it. In doing so, your team will recognise you as a real person and trust you. This also creates a culture where it’s safe to put your head above the parapet, admit your mistakes, and take smart risks.
- Model Behaviours
Authentic leaders know that in order to inspire others they need to be a professional at all times, keep their promises and deliver on their promises. As a leader, do you ALWAYS make decisions that are principled and honourable? Are you ever tempted to take a short cut?