The Power of Authenticity: A Pathway to Leadership and Personal Growth

Is Authenticity the Cornerstone of Genuine Leadership?

May 07, 2023

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my weekly post and thank you for being here.

In today's post, I would like to talk about Authenticity.

In a world that is driven by trends and social media, what was once thought to be the embodiment of leadership, is now a trait that is hardly talked about. There was once a time when a man’s word was his bond, and a person’s identity hinged on the strength of his words.

Today’s reality is a little bit different. Actually, very different.

Everyone walks around with a phone and a camera, and usually, people project their “best lives” voluntarily to the entire world. Whether life on camera and off camera is the same is not known to the unsuspecting consumers of the content.

I often say in jest to friends that people kiss the babies in front of the camera, and when the cameras turn off, they throw the baby aside and ask for sanitizers and wipes. Probably this happened in the past too and was done in a subtle manner, but today there is almost no subtlety, and to a degree, an air of arrogance or smugness.

I have had the honor to have worked for authentic leaders, ones who truly care about you as an individual, and not as a means to achieve their own personal agenda. I have also had the misfortune to work for leaders who put on a show for the world to see, and is someone completely different behind closed doors, or in their personal life.

Today’s post is to share some learnings from those experiences from a work environment perspective and provide some insights on what to expect and also to look out for. We will explore the essential characteristics of authentic people, the impact of authenticity on leaders and followers, and how to identify and avoid inauthentic behavior.

If you are an individual who is looking to build your own brand of authenticity and genuineness, then I’m sure this article will help you. I strongly believe that having these qualities can propel you to new heights in your personal and professional lives.

Let’s dive in.

Essential Characteristics of Authentic People

Having gone around the world and interacted with different personalities, cultures, and a broad spectrum of experiences, below are some characteristics that stand out for me. This is not just about leaders, but people in general.

Workshops, dinners, team meetings, team building sessions, workplace day-to-day interactions, etc. all provide great opportunities to observe people in general. You start to identify people who are extroverts, introverts, vocal, quiet, calculated, emotional, alert, motivated, etc. and you are usually able to understand who people really are if you pay attention.

Here are some characteristics that I have observed from people that I find authentic:

Honesty: Authentic people are honest in their interactions with others. They do not pretend to be someone they are not and do not engage in deception. These are individuals who share their feelings openly without any ulterior motives. Working with this kind of people is easy and you don’t have to double-guess their intent. There is however a thin line sometimes between being honest, and being completely open to share whatever comes to your mind - that has got nothing to do with honesty, but rather self-awareness.
Integrity: Genuine individuals uphold steadfast values and principles. For no one's benefit, whether their own or that of others, do they sacrifice their integrity. Genuine people behave in accordance with their views and ideals, even when it's challenging or controversial to do so. They act and communicate in a sincere and open manner almost to a fault. These individuals are not looking to win a popularity contest but rather do the right thing. Believe me, you don’t appreciate this until you work with or for someone who has a complete lack of this trait.
Self-Awareness: Genuine people have a profound grasp of their abilities, limitations, and feelings. They aren't embarrassed to own up to their errors and accept accountability for their deeds. They are upfront about their strengths and weaknesses with both themselves and other people. They don’t pretend to be something they are not. “Fake it till you make it” is a great motivational punch line for yourself to psyche yourself up, however, in the real world you need to walk the talk if you want to be genuine.
Humility: It does take a lot of humility to eat humble pie and you genuinely respect people who are willing to be humble and accept their mistakes. Authentic people are willing to show vulnerability. They do not pretend to have all the answers, and they are not afraid to ask for help. They are open to feedback and willing to grow from their mistakes. I have personally experienced that admitting a mistake allows my own mind to not just accept the learning and try to do better next time, but also that we move faster through the learning process.
Openness: This one goes hand in hand with humility. Authentic people are open to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. They are willing to learn from others and adapt their beliefs when presented with compelling evidence.
Empathy: Empathetic folks are real people. They are able to empathize with others and comprehend their viewpoints. Genuine people try to comprehend other people's viewpoints and are sympathetic and understanding. They have a keen awareness of the needs and sentiments of those around them.
Consistency: I love it when I know how certain people will behave in certain situations. While this extends predictability about those people, it also lends consistency to their genuine selves. I hate working with people who keep changing their minds depending on how their manager feels or because they lack the ability to challenge others. Authentic people are consistent in their behavior. They do not change their behavior to fit different situations or people. Genuine people maintain a consistent set of values and beliefs, which guide their actions and decisions. They are reliable and dependable, even in challenging situations.

Impact on Followers

Genuine leaders are highly regarded by those they lead. They inspire others, foster loyalty, and build trust. According to research, authentic leaders enhance the psychological health, work satisfaction, and performance of their followers. Genuine leaders foster an environment at work that values communication, cooperation, and openness.

Impact of Authenticity on Leaders and Followers:

Trust: Sincere leaders continually display honesty, integrity, and dependability, which inspires people to have faith in them.
Engagement: Sincere leaders help their team members feel like they belong and are committed to the organization, which boosts engagement and productivity.
Innovative breakthroughs can result from authentic leaders cultivating a climate in which team members feel free to voice their opinions and take calculated risks.
Personal Development: Genuine leaders support people's personal growth and development, assisting them in realizing their greatest potential.

It’s a pleasure working for leaders that are authentic. You can be your true self, share honest opinions, get support during difficult times, and more than just a work environment, you develop a relationship with a close confidant to guide you as you bounce ideas on career or life moves.

Identifying Ingenuine or Fake People

As with any good thing in life, where there are good-intentioned, real, authentic, and genuine people, then there are also those who pretend to be all this. There are excellent fakes for luxury products in the market, like a Louis Vuitton bag or a Rolex watch, and you need to know exactly what to look for to identify a fake product vs a real one.

Similarly, fake people can be difficult to identify but if you know what to look for then you can protect yourself. They may show some of the characteristics of authentic people but lack the consistency and depth of character that authentic people possess. Here are some traits to watch out for:

Inconsistency: Fake people may display inconsistent behavior, changing their values and beliefs to suit their current situation or audience. They talk poorly about their previous leaders or followers and align with the new influencers and their direction. Fake people may behave differently in different situations or with different people. These are individuals who say one thing in front of others, and yet another behind closed doors.
Manipulation: Inauthentic individuals may use manipulation tactics to achieve their goals, often at the expense of others. They pretend to care about others or show that they are a people person when in reality they are their own person and taking care of their own personal agenda. In a work environment, you may find leaders who pretend to be empathetic and say all the right cliches or buzzwords when they don’t really mean it. Fake people may use others for their own gain, without regard for others' well-being. I even know of individuals in leadership positions who will lie and manipulate circumstances to fit their narrative.
So don’t make the mistake of assuming that all leaders follow a certain code.
Fake Empathy: Fake people may show little concern for the feelings and needs of others, focusing solely on their own interests. Fake people may be superficially charming but lack genuine empathy and concern for others. If people are extremely nice to your face, always ask the question why. Flattery hides real intentions so be extra cautious if people shower extra praise on you. Today I find in general there is a lot of veiled narcissism where you find people talk about themselves as being very altruistic, caring, empathetic, diverse, and inclusive.
Excessive self-promotion: Inauthentic individuals may constantly seek attention and validation, often exaggerating their accomplishments or abilities. They will drop the names of other influential people with the intention to show they are well-connected. They will aggrandize (make things seem larger than they really are) anything that they have been involved in and mark themselves as a reason for it being so grand. I know a couple of people who drop names every couple of sentences, and if you hear them you would wonder think that they are the next most important person after the CEO or CFO of the company.
Insincere: Fake people may pay lip service to values and principles but not live them out in their behavior. If you hear people talk about doing the right thing, but see them doing things that are completely the opposite, then you are observing it in the wild. Always observe whether deeds follow the words.

If you find yourself doing some of the above unintentionally, then please be aware that you could be getting perceived as being ingenuine. To avoid becoming fake, it's essential to remain true to your values, maintain open and honest communication, and prioritize personal growth and self-awareness.

To summarize: Authenticity and genuineness are crucial traits for both leaders and people in general. Genuine people inspire others, establish loyalty, and build trust. They foster an environment at work that values communication, cooperation, and openness. Although it might be challenging to spot false persons, doing so is crucial to forging healthy relationships and averting poisonous ones. Let us all strive to be authentic and genuine people in our personal and professional lives. By doing so, we can create a better world for ourselves and those around us.

By George!

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