What is Authentic Leadership?

Real leaders are true to their principals, willing to admit mistakes and accept responsibility and capable of emerging whole and sound when tested. Authenticity is a particular signature of real leaders a connecting thread that makes every step in their life journey into a unified whole. It brings all the other qualities of leaders together in a satisfying combination, just as a special spice or a distinct herb can create harmony among the various ingredients that give a meal a memorable flavour. Authentic leaders are able to connect with others so the other are eager to embrace the message and vision.

hen we think of leaders who have inspired millions to join great causes, we usually think of men and women of deep authenticity leaders like !ahatma "andhi, with his profound personal commitment to Indian independence and non#violent resistance$ %elson !andela, who sacrificed &' years in prison before seeing his vision of a free, multiracial (outh Africa realised$ and (audi Arabia)s *ing +aisal, who in the si,ties selflessly championed the early moderni-ation of the *ingdom. hen I interview job candidates, I like to ask, ./ell me your life story. 0,plain how one e,perience led you to the ne,t and what it all means.) I am often surprised by the number of candidates who are unable to e,plain how the various things they have done fit together$ sometimes they are unwillingly to acknowledge mistakes or to take responsibility for their choices. 1y contrast, true leaders welcome having their decisions scrutinised and tested. /hey understand that a failure of decision is not necessarily a failure of character, and that every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow. /his understanding, too, is an aspect of the authenticity that is a hallmark of the leader. Authenticity is closely intertwined with integrity and ethics. 2eople who are authentic are unafraid to reveal their true selves and this can be the case only when they feel sure that they have done what is right according to their best lights, rather than fudging the truth, cutting moral corners or taking advantage of ambiguity to benefit themselves at the e,pense of others. e often describe people of integrity by saying 3/hey have nothing to hide). And the e,pression highlights the transparency that goes with integrity and depends upon it. 4ntil our ne,t blog where I will speak on 3nurturing), please be assured that I welcome your comments and discussions.

Regards 5ussein A.Al#1anawi Author, /he 4nknown 6eader /he 4nknown 6eader is a Best Leadership Training & Development Books in UAE , (audi Arabia. +ind more information to http788www.theunknownleader.com8 Address7 United Arab Emirates, Dubai /7 9:;'<= >#?@>@@@@ 2.A. 1o, B@CD&@ EI+F, Eubai audi Arabia, !eddah /7 9:;CC= &#CB<?;?' +7 9:;CC= &#CB<D&'B 2.A. 1o, D&D< Geddah, &<>D& Email" theunknownleadertigHgmail.com #ollo$ Us" +acebook /witter # https788www.facebook.com8/he4nknown6eader https788twitter.com84nknownI6eader