Written by: Nicole Schmitz, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There's a leadership crisis in the world.
Since the dawn of time, leadership has been an important part of any society. History has shown the most successful leaders tend to be those who lead by example and create a culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. They are the leaders who gain trust through their courage to be their authentic selves.
This is not how it's always been though.
Especially in recent years, where there have been countless examples of people who are obsessed with having power, furthering their own agendas, and feeding their egos, when in reality they have been entrusted with the responsibility to lead with integrity.
Now more than ever, we must revert back to the true core pillar of leadership - authenticity. We need leaders who reflect their unique presence and values they believe in. This is the only way to gain the trust and influence required to navigate the new world and bring continued strength and resilience to the corporate landscape and beyond.
An authentic leader has skills such as good communication, commitment to their cause and vision, high levels of empathy and emotional intelligence. But what does authenticity really mean?
1. Being authentic requires you to be self-aware and self-accepting
A recent study by Green Peak Partners and Cornell University on public and private company executives found that the number one predictor of success in the workplace is self-awareness.
Leaders need to be aware of their emotions and how they impact others if their leadership is going to be authentic, and this requires emotional intelligence (EI). EI includes self-awareness and self-regulation which are key skills for effective leadership because they allow leaders to manage themselves and work on any issues so they are in the best position to lead others. Other components of self-awareness include knowing where your strengths and values lie, and how to compensate for any weaknesses.
Once you are aware of your authentic leader identity, you must then be willing to accept all your parts - the good and bad - so that you can continuously improve and evolve into a better version of yourself. Once you have the complete picture, you will also be able to communicate your leadership expectations, style, and objectives more effectively to others.
2. It's important for people in positions of authority to not only lead by example but also show vulnerability
In order for your colleagues to work effectively and feel respected, they need to know that their leader is guiding them from a genuine place. To do so, they must show vulnerability, transparency, and lead by example.
To lead by example is to demonstrate leadership qualities through your actions and not just by your words. On the face of it, it can mean practicing what you preach by following the rules and acting with integrity. But it can also mean something much deeper than that.
As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, showing compassion and your 'human side' has become a prized leadership quality to possess. In the past, many of us have been taught to hide our vulnerabilities in the workplace. However these days it is essential for building trust and creating an environment where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves into work every day.
When we lead by example and share our vulnerabilities, others will do so too, which builds trust between colleagues and fosters better relationships overall. It's also important for leaders not only to show empathy but also offer support so that colleagues know they have someone who will listen to them without judgment.
3. Authenticity can help leaders connect with their colleagues who genuinely believe in them
It has been said that strong relationships with your colleagues are key to workplace satisfaction and success. In fact, a recent survey of over 1000 US executives showed that 65% say a better leader would make them happy, which contrasted with a mere 35% who claimed a pay rise would have the same effect.
However, in our ever-evolving digital world, fostering authentic interpersonal relationships can prove more challenging. These days, automated emails, text void of emotion, and zoom meetings where the mute and camera off button are used way too frequently can make it harder to authentically connect with others.
Therefore, to lead authentically, you must think more about the ways in which you can connect with your colleagues, on an individual level, so that each person feels like his or her voice matters. This should involve a deep understanding of what drives them and continuously provide them with opportunities for growth. Once an authentic relationship, built around trust and belonging has been established, belief in you as a leader and your guiding vision will follow.
The Future Of Leadership
When it comes down to it, authenticity is about being real and genuine - something that most people appreciate. This is the future of leadership. It's not about hierarchies and power structures. It’s about authenticity, humility, empathy, connection with others — and the willingness to step into your own power in a way that feels right for you.
You can find your own authentic leadership presence by taking some time each day to reflect on what matters most to you (outside of work) and how it informs your actions at work. Just remember, authentic leadership isn't some mystical quality, it's grounded in reality and is achievable by anyone.
If this sounds challenging or if you want help connecting with people authentically as part of an intentional change strategy within yourself or within your team, please get in contact!
Nicole Schmitz Transformational Coaching services are designed specifically for leaders who need guidance in developing their personal brand so they may achieve greater success both personally and professionally.
What's YOUR leadership presence?
Nicole Schmitz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole is a certified leadership coach, and soft skills and communication expert, with a double Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Law.
Nicole's journey towards confident communication began early in life, where she went from being as quiet as a mouse to speaking on a global stage of 100k + people. She then took this experience to the boardroom to influence top CEO's in Australia and the world.
Following the success that came from overcoming her own fears, Nicole made it her life's mission to help as many corporate professionals and entrepreneurs as possible, to become empowered communicators who speak up, be seen, and get ahead in their careers and lives.
Her focus lies within enabling the 'career essential' soft skills required to develop high influence, high impact leaders within any industry.
Nicole has coached clients across 10 countries to help them unlock their inner strengths, overcome their fears and anxieties, and excel in their careers through results such as quadrupling their income and landing their next promotion.
Nicole is credentialed as a certified professional coach (CTA), and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
