Be an Authentic Leader
The following articles from BNET.com (with BNET's commentary) explain how to develop a more direct, authentic style of leadership as well as the obstacles you'll face along the way.
Gaining An Edge: Authentic Leadership Lessons
Authentic leadership is leadership that can be trusted; leadership that is, in fact, as it is represented. In the business environment, authentic leadership is a fundamental requirement for generating peak performance. Some companies can make money, even in the absence of authentic leadership, but they can't come close to realizing their full potential without it. The characteristics of an authentic organization are: a guiding vision, a value-driven organization, a powerful focus for delivering work, and respecting people by expecting their best.
Lessons in Authentic Leadership
Vision, organizational thinking, and the ability to deftly act on strategic intent are the critical elements needed to sustain a competitive advantage in today's marketplace. Assumptions, operating principles and worldviews are strikingly dissimilar across the several generations in today's workforce. Leadership, going forward, is not as much about telling as it is about hearing; not as much about knowing as it is about facilitating dialogue and inquiry; not as much about being in charge as it is about enabling the necessary capabilities and outcomes. This paper explores how authentic listening serves as an indispensable tool for leaders at all levels.
Mindfulness, Hope and Compassion: A Leader's Road Map to Renewal
How does a leader quell the everyday, inner conflicts caused by the heavy responsibility, the need for constant self-control and the inevitable crises - and still remain an effective leader? Not easily. These authors have excellent suggestions for calming and resolving that turmoil and for going beyond to remain an effective, highly resonant leader.
Becoming An Authentic Leader
Authentic leaders genuinely desire to serve others through their leadership. They are more interested in empowering the people they lead to make a difference than they are in power or prestige. They are as guided by qualities of the heart, by passion and compassion, as they are by qualities of the mind. The paper examines some characteristics of authentic leaders.
Rethinking Leadership Thinking: Choosing a More Authentic Path
Today, for the first time, leaders may find that authentic leadership and inspired teams are prerequisites to organizational survival. A rapidly changing world demands speed, flexibility, and responsiveness. Past systems of command and control, strict hierarchical structures, and dictated actions are inadequate to the task. To become a more effective leader of an inspired team, you have to unlearn many past practices, create a compelling value proposition for change and build a process that helps to anticipate and deal with resistance.
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