Loyalty

According to Bill George who wrote the book True North, authentic leaders not only inspire those around them, they empower people to step up and lead. The authentic leader brings people together around a shared purpose and empowers them to step up and lead authentically in order to create value for all stakeholders.

The journey to Authentic Leadership is:

• Self Awareness
• Values and Principles
• Motivation
• Integrated Life
• Knowing your Authentic Self

Self Awareness: When you know yourself, you can find the passion that motivates you, and the purpose of your leadership. Leaders who know themselves well become comfortable in their own skin, act consistently in different situations and gain the trust of others.

Values and Principles: Being centered on your values is not easy, but it is essential to true leadership. When you have a clear understanding of your values and their relative importance, you can establish the principles by which you intend to lead.

Motivation: There are two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivations are measured by the outside world, and include winning athletic competitions or making money.

Intrinsic on the other hand stem from a personal sense of meaning of ones life. This can include personal growth, helping other people develop, and making a difference in this world. As individuals grow in their leadership capabilities, they tend to pursue roles that are in tune with helping others and making a difference.

Integrated Life: Authentic leaders are constantly aware of the importance of staying grounded: spending time with family, close friends, getting physical exercise, practicing spirituality, and doing community service.

In our next installment we’ll explore more of the center item – Knowing Your Authentic Self.

Dianne Durkin is president and founder of Loyalty Factor, a specialized consulting and training company that enhances employee, customer and brand loyalty for some of the nation’s most prominent corporations and many smaller businesses. Dianne’s proven expertise lies in helping companies quickly get to the core issues and outlining their impact on the organization’s profits, productivity and people.  www.loyaltyfactor.com