Is it In You?

What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Within modern leadership, who we are has become more important than such things as t thought, behaviour, competencies, technique or status.  This is what is known as authentic leadership.

Originality, rather than imitation, is what makes an organisation stand out.  This requires exceptional leaders, who are themselves creative, and who can inspire “collective creativity”.  This kind of leader is capable of operating outside his or her own comfort one. They have no need of massaging their own ego, and thus can put the well being of the organisation first.  When it comes down to it, leadership is about trust and as such requires the engagement of both heart and head.  An organisation can only change once it has invested in every single person’s self-leadership.

And in that sense absolutely anyone can be a leader; if you can change your internal world, then you’re certainly capable of changing the world outside, thus bring others long with you in significant renewal.

How can you achieve this? Just do it from today on: don’t put up with pointless meetings, be explicit about what the real issues are, avoid mixed messages, consider others’ point of view.

And further: take the time to really consider what you’re doing and be curious about what’s driving you and those around you.

So, is becoming an authentic leader just a pipe dream?

It’s up to you!