| The term authentic leader is used frequently | | | | Leaders need to get people on board to deliver |
| these days. Authentic leadership is essentially | | | | the results. To do this they need to inspire others |
| about being the person that you really are rather | | | | to support them to deliver on areas such as |
| than the person that you believe you should be | | | | strategy, change projects, people development, |
| because of the title or role you have. It is also | | | | financial management and business development. |
| about understanding and leading in line with your | | | | Inspiring others is more than just word. It is about |
| core values. Leaders who are authentic have | | | | demonstrating that you can be relied upon, |
| certain characteristics. So what are the 6 key | | | | trusted, are genuinely interested in others and |
| characteristics of authentic leaders? | | | | their success to name just a few. |
| Characteristic 1: Great communicators | | | | Characteristic 4: Leads and is part of the team |
| Authentic leaders are great communicators. Great | | | | Authentic leaders recognise that there will be |
| communication involves writing, speaking and | | | | times when they need to lead, for example when |
| listening. Most leaders are skilled at writing and | | | | there is crisis and decisions need to be made |
| speaking. Fewer are really skilled when it comes | | | | quickly. At other times they need to be part of |
| to listening. Listening has 3 main levels. At the first | | | | the team, for example when there are others in |
| level, leaders are really passively listening. By that | | | | the team who are just the most appropriate to |
| I mean they are listening and at the same time | | | | lead because they have the expertise. |
| thinking about what they are going to say next. | | | | Characteristic 5: Asks for and gives 100% |
| At the second level leaders are totally focusing on | | | | Being authentic is not being a soft touch. |
| the other person and what they are saying. The | | | | Authentic leaders ask for 100% from those that |
| leader is interpreting with the interests of the | | | | they lead and at the same time give 100% |
| other person as their focal point. At the third and | | | | personally to achieving and delivering results. They |
| highest level the leader is listening not just to | | | | work hard and are highly committed to delivering |
| what is being said but also to the non verbal | | | | the results for their organization and to helping |
| signals. Authentic leaders operate at level 2 and 3 | | | | others prosper. |
| the majority of the time. Where do you operate | | | | Characteristic 6: Visionary |
| most of the time? | | | | Authentic leaders are visionary. They have clarity |
| Characteristic 2: Know what they stand for | | | | about what they want to achieve, they have the |
| Authentic leaders are clear on what their own | | | | foresight and creativity to create a vision for the |
| personal values are, what they stand for as a | | | | future and get others to help them to deliver on |
| leader, what they want to create as a leader and | | | | the vision. |
| what they can be relied on for. These leaders | | | | Bottom line- Authentic leadership is not about an |
| don't just know what their values are, they live | | | | easy touch but being clear on what you stand for |
| by them. They use them as a reference point | | | | and using this as the basis for being a highly |
| when it comes to making key decisions and | | | | effective leader. So what characteristic could you |
| making key choices. | | | | start to develop to make you a more authentic |
| Characteristic 3: Inspirational | | | | leader? |