OPINION
Authentic leaders set the bar FOR A CULTURAL SHIFT
Establishing oneself as an authentic leader is the first step in encouraging a culture of authenticity within organisations, because systematic change comes from practice – not policies – according to Ash Beckham
A uthenticity has become such a buzz word. From newsstands to hashtags, countless sources will give you trite instructions on how to be authentic. But that is not how authenticity works. No one can tell you if you are being authentic, only you can truly judge that. But when you are authentic, the influence you can have on those around you is profound. The positive impacts that come from authentic leadership are widespread, but it cannot start without first understanding what authenticity looks like for you. There is no universal checklist or treasure map to get you there. It takes work and practice –and self-exploration is not for the faint of heart. But it can transform people, organisations, and cultures. Although authenticity looks unique and personal for each of us, we need to establish a common understanding of what we are seeking. Authenticity is when one is true to one’s own personality, spirit or character. Which is nice on paper, but what does that look like in reality?
To me, authenticity is achieved when the person we see ourselves as (our inner self) and how we act in the world (our outer self) are aligned. For example, if I see myself as, and want to act like, an inclusive leader, and I take actions in various aspects of my life to actualise that vision, then I am in alignment – I am authentic. But if there is incongruity between how I see myself and how I act, I am inauthentic. So, if either I see myself as an inclusive leader, but I do not take action to promote inclusivity, or if I actively promote inclusivity but do not see myself as a leader – I am in a state of inauthenticity. We all know what it feels like to be inauthentic – that feeling of ‘poser’ syndrome. We know the feeling, but we can get stuck with no viable path out. The best part is that we always have the power to get ourselves back in alignment – back to authenticity. Either we change our actions to align with who we think we are, or we change our idea of who we are to align with our actions. By this measure, authenticity is not good or bad it is just a state of being. And that state changes constantly depending on both internal and
Ash Beckham is an inclusion activist, inclusive leadership expert, professional trainer, workshop facilitator, motivational speaker, business leader and author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. Known for her unique voice, intrepid, relatable and intrinsically comic style, and powerful guidance, Beckham’s TEDx Talk ‘Coming Out of Your Closet’ became a viral sensation.
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