Welcome to Week 6 of the Authenticity@Work Series. My intention for this series is to share a quick tool each week to help you lead with more authenticity, adaptability and inspiration so we can together create workplaces where we bring the best of ourselves and inspire others.
In last week’s post we discussed how authentic leaders drive innovation and bring out the best in people in challenging environments. Did you find how your impact on others is different when you’re operating from your centered authentic self?
Ever heard the well-meaning advice “just be yourself, you’ll do fine”? Many of us think that being ourselves is what’s most important without regard for the impact it has on others. That can result in career-limiting moves. When you’re in your authentic self, you are able to know yourself and take full responsibility for the impact you have on others by choosing the behavior that will serve the greatest good.
Many tough decisions cause many of the values we have to be in conflict with one another. What if my values collide with what needs to be done for the greater good? Abraham “Honest Abe” Lincoln, former president of the United States, was open to coercing others and indirectly offering payoffs to get the Thirteenth Amendment (abolishing slavery) passed. He had to wrestle between his personal values and what was in the interest of the greater good.
When you’re in your authentic self, you work through your personal values, your sense of purpose, others’ perspectives, and the greater good to make a choice. These are not always easy choices, yet they define and shape who we are becoming and our leadership legacy.
This Week’s Tool:
Questions To Ask Yourself:
- What are the situations where “just being myself” can undermine my leadership impact?
- What am I learning about being in my authentic self that can help me hold the paradox of authentic leadership?
Get the latest resources for Authenticity@Work (this tab will get updated with all kinds of cool resources). Curious to know more about the book? Read the reviews about Wired for Authenticity here.
[…] last week’s post we discussed the danger of just being yourself. Did you find situations where “just being […]
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I totally “get” this principle. But at the same time I find myself thinking that in the beginning of just finding yourself and getting used to you are, you kind of don’t/can’t care what impact it has on others. (for a moment). I get that it could be limiting, but it’s like toddlers when they first figure out they can do things on their own and for themselves. They can come off as a bit obnoxious, lol. (as I’ve experienced with my 2 year old grandson) Until their confidence is established and feel they have no more points to prove (to themselves or others), then we can all play and help each other nicely. ;-)