Leading in the 21st. Century, in the middle of a pandemia and in a new normal is vastly different than what we used to know. People in organizations have changed dramatically to the point where many will no longer tolerate the classic “command and control leaders. Nor are they impressed by charismatic leaders whose leadership is based primarily on personal ego.
Over the past 50 years, many of us worked for powerful leaders who seemed to know where they were going, only to discover later that they were leading us down destructive paths, or that they were in it mostly for themselves and were largely unconcerned with our well-being if it ever came. Then we realize and start learning that our loyalty is not returned; we begin losing trust in our leaders. Similarly, many of us have been dazzled by charismatic leaders who impressed everyone with their charm yet went off the deep end when the world did not bend to their personal whims.
People nowadays need and seek authentic leaders whom they can trust, but they are not so easily fooled or so fast to offer their loyalty. Many are knowledge workers who often know more than their bosses. They want the opportunity to step up and have an impact now. They are willing to work extremely hard but will do so only for an organization whose purpose they believe in, as they are seeking meaning and significance in their work. They are willing to trust their leaders only if they prove themselves worthy of their trust.
If you want to be effective as a leader today, then you must be authentic. If you are not, the best people will not want to work with you, and they will not give you the best of themselves.
What do authentic and effective leaders do?
· They readily align people around a common purpose that inspires them to peak performance.
· They unite people around a common set of values so that everyone knows precisely what is expected.
· They empower others to step up and lead so that people throughout the organization are highly motivated and give their best.
· They are in constant dialogue with all constituencies; as leaders, they bear the responsibility of engaging not only shareholders, but customers, employees, and communities as well.
This is not easy. In fact, it is the hard side of leadership.
The easy side of leadership is getting short-term numbers right. Many people can figure out how to do that. It is much more difficult to get people aligned, empowered, and committed.
Being authentic as a leader creates a virtuous cycle. The very best people will want to work with you, and as a result, your performance will be superior, and you will be able to take on ever-greater challenges. The bottom line is this: Without authentic leaders, there will be no sustained effectiveness in organizations.
Great leaders attract the best people and provide the best people experience. People who live a great people experience, will deliver a great experience to your customers. Customers who live a great customer experience; will stay with you, will help you grow and in consequence, will give you the business results to make of yours a sustainable company.
The possibilities are unlimited!!
Do you want to become an authentic leader?
