 Authentic
Leadership - 10 Things Leaders Do to Stay in the Lead
By Robin Sharma - Nov/Dec 04 What would
your life look like if you had absolutely no fear? What kinds of things would you do if
you lived from a frame of reference that your thoughts literally could form your world?
How brightly would your light shine if you stepped out of the limitations that are keeping
you small and stretched yourself well past your comfort zone into the place that you know,
deep within, you are meant to be? Authentic leadership is all about being the person you
know that in your heart you have always been destined to be. Authentic leadership does not
come from your title or from the size of your paycheque; this form of leadership comes
from your being and the person that you are.
To maintain a level of excellence there are ten things that authentic
leaders do on a regular basis:
1) They Speak Their Truth - In business today, we frequently
“swallow our truth.” We say things to please others and to look good in front of
The Crowd. Authentic leaders are different. They consistently talk truth. They would never
betray themselves by using words that are not aligned with who they are. This does not
give anyone a license to say things that are hurtful to people; speaking truth is simply
about being clear, being honest, and being authentic.
2) They Lead from the Heart - Business is about people. Leadership is
about people. The best leaders wear their hearts on their sleeves and are not afraid to
show their vulnerability. They genuinely care about other people and spend their days
developing the people around them. They are like the sun: the sun gives away all it has to
the plants and the trees, but in return, the plants and the trees always grow toward the
sun.
3) They Have Rich Moral Fibre - Who you are speaks far more loudly than
anything you could ever say. Strength of character is true power - and people can feel it
a mile away. Authentic leaders work on their character. They walk their talk and are
aligned with their core values. They are noble and good, and in doing so, people trust,
respect and listen to them.
4) They Are Courageous - It takes a lot of courage to go against the
crowd. It takes a lot of courage to be a visionary. It takes a lot of inner strength to do
what you think is right even though it may not be easy. We live in a world where so many
people walk the path of least resistance. Taking the road less travelled is what authentic
leadership is all about, and not doing what is easy, but what is right.
5) They Build Teams and Create Communities - One of the primary things
that people are looking for in their work experience is a sense of community. In the old
days, we got our community from where we lived. We would have block parties and street
picnics. In the new age of work, employees seek their sense of community and connection
from the workplace. Authentic leaders create workplaces that foster human linkages and
lasting friendships.
6) They Deepen Themselves - The job of the leader is to go deep.
Authentic leaders know themselves intimately. They nurture a strong self-relationship.
They know their weaknesses and play to their strengths. And they always spend a lot of
time transcending their fears.
7) They Are Dreamers - Einstein said, “Imagination is more
important than knowledge.” It is from our imaginations that great things are born.
Authentic leaders dare to dream impossible dreams. They see what everyone else sees and
then dream up new possibilities. They spend a lot of time with their eyes closed creating
blueprints and fantasies that lead to better products, better services, better workplaces
and deeper value. How often do you close your eyes and dream?
8) They Care for Themselves - Taking care of your physical dimension is
a sign of self-respect. You can’t do great things at work if you don’t feel
good. Authentic leaders eat well, exercise and care for the temples that are their bodies.
They spend time in nature, drink plenty of water and get regular massages so that,
physically, they are operating at planet-class levels of performance.
9) They Commit to Excellence Rather Than Perfection. No human being is
perfect. Every single one of us is a work in progress. Authentic leaders commit themselves
to excellence in everything that they do. They are constantly pushing the envelope and
raising their standards. They do not seek perfection and have the wisdom to know the
difference. What would your life look like if you raised your standards well beyond what
anyone could ever imagine of you?
10) They Leave a Legacy. To live in the hearts of the people around you
is to never die. Success is wonderful, but significance is even better. You were made to
contribute and to leave a mark on the people around you. In failing to live from this
frame of reference, you betray yourself. Authentic leaders are constantly building their
legacies by adding deep value to everyone that they deal with and leaving the world a
better place in the process.
Robin Sharma is a leading professional speaker & the #1
bestselling author of “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” & “The Saint, The
Surfer & The CEO”. For more information on Robin’s speaking & coaching
services, visit his website at www.robinsharma.com
|
