Take off your mask - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Take off your mask - Viewpoint - careers advice blog We follow those who lead because we believe in them. We follow them, not for their benefit, but for ours. As leaders, we build the kind of bonds that create trust by communicating authentically. Everything we say and do is a symbol of who we are. When you lead, do you hide who you are behind the mask you believe a leader should wear? A few years ago, I went to a masked ball in Venice. It was a bizarre experience as almost everyone I met was wearing a mask. If you have ever been to a masked ball, you will know how difficult it is to connect with and trust someone who is wearing a mask. It feels inauthentic. Is it time to take off your mask and be more real? What is authenticity? Herminia Ibarra writes in her article, “The Authenticity Paradox” in the Harvard Business Review that, “Authenticity has become the gold standard for leadership. But a simplistic understanding of what it means can hinder your growth and limit your impact”. She argues that authenticity has become about being true to yourself and that this is a recipe for being stuck in the past with a “rigid self-concept”. If Ibarra is right and our understanding of ‘authentic’ leadership can be limiting, what’s the alternative? The inspiring speaker and writer, Brené Brown, says: “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up, be honest and let our true selves be seen.” I love Brene’s challenge to us to be seen. Yet, I believe that authenticity is about more than either Ibarra’s ‘true-to-selfers’ or Brown’s ‘collection of choices’. They both portray authenticity as introspective. For me, authenticity is also about connection with others. Connection exists when people feel seen, heard and valued. Connection requires us to be resilient and respond in the moment in ways that are appropriate to the unique situations we face. How to be an authentic leader Authenticity is a journey, not an end-state. I define authentic leadership as encompassing self-awareness, real connection with others, resilience and personal growth. The importance of self-awareness There are many things that prevent us from being authentic, such as wanting to be liked or comparing ourselves to others. Authenticity is about being fully ourselves whilst developing and growing beyond our comfort zones. Being authentic is not about being perfect; it’s about bringing yourself fully to the table in all areas of your life. There are many shades to who you are, and it requires self-awareness to be at our best. So ask yourself: What are your shining strengths? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What are you passionate about? What do you believe in? Don’t neglect to ask yourself the difficult questions too: What are your triggers (the provocations that push you to be less than your best)? What ways do you behave that limit your effectiveness? What excuses do you make for how you are sometimes? Be honest with yourself â€" discounting your shadow side is a risky business, as it shows up anyway, often when you least want it to! The importance of real connection with others Develop the capacity to be open and honest with yourself and with others. I don’t mean that you should be brutally honest, utterly transparent or inappropriate in ways that disconnect us. Learn to communicate your honest thoughts and feelings with respect and empathy to build real connections. The importance of resilience Learn to accept and move on with change. Cultivate resilience and learn to adapt to new situations. Change whilst staying connected to your core. The importance of personal growth Foster personal growth through activities, relationships and experiences which stretch you out of your comfort zone. Take risks and allow yourself to experience challenging and uncomfortable situations. This will expand your capacity to lead others in ways that generate shared success, without faking it. Ready to remove your mask? Allow authenticity to guide everything you do. Let it be your filter through which all important decisions flow. Your journey to authentic connection will not only inspire you but also those you lead. Want to further hone your leadership skills? Our leadership tips and advice will help you become the leader you want to be What actually is a high performing team? Avoid these 3 away day myths What size company is the right fit for you? In the fire of change Are you suffering from career burnout? Its time to make a change How to optimise your LinkedIn profile 11 ways to become more productive at work How I coped with relocating 11,000 miles for my new job, twice Share this blog: