What is Authentic Leadership? Authentic- “according to the facts and therefore trustworthy, dependable or believed”

To become an authentic leader, you must become increasingly aware of the four leadership qualities that we are going to describe and manipulate these qualities to create a personal style that works for you.

Always ask yourself the question: “Why should someone be led by you?”

In the short time we have to discuss this, I believe there are 4 key points essential to becoming a truly authentic leader.

1 – Leaders selectively show their weaknesses: by exposing some vulnerability, they reveal accessibility and humanity.

For example, Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, is a brilliant businessman and a hero in the UK. He is also particularly effective at communicating his vulnerability. He is uncomfortable and constantly hesitates when interviewed in public. That could be considered a weakness; However, that’s Richard Branson, warts and all.

2 – They rely heavily on intuition to measure the right moment and the course of their actions.

Not surprisingly, the most impressive business leaders are highly refined sensors. Ray van Schaik, president of Heineken in the early 1990s, is a case in point. His genius lies in his ability to read signals from his colleagues and from Freddie Heineken, the third generation family member. Some senior managers spent time doubting the major shareholder, van Schaik developed the ability to “just know” what Heineken wanted. In addition to spending many years on the Heineken board, van Schaik could read Heineken even though they had very different personalities and rarely worked together.

3 – Manage others with strong empathy.

The ones most apt to use it are people who really care about something. When people really care about something, they are more likely to show their true selves.

Tough empathy also has the benefit of prompting leaders to take risks. There are many businesses across the UK that have been facing difficulties due to the recession. By openly and directly explaining the situation to staff about necessary changes, sometimes an increase in expenses, staff would accept the process. Once this is done, a restructuring could take place that would result in job losses, but long-term success for the company. This long-term success is attributed to the strong empathy with the employees. As a CEO said “Once you have the people with you, you can make the tough decisions that need to be made”

4 – Dare to be different.

Inspirational leaders will capitalize on their differences. The effective use of these differences is the most important quality of the four we have mentioned. A distinctly different style of dress or physical appearance are ways to show a difference. However, an effective leader will be distinguished by qualities such as imagination, loyalty, experience, even their body language.

An example of this could be a Senior Manager who manages by walking, but in doing so constantly passes people by the speed with which they walk, this is different to the norm, however it is a way of communicating urgency.

Looking at these four key points, the challenge now is to find a personal style that suits you.