When I hear others speak of authenticity, I’m often under the impression that they’re referring to the act of talking, acting and reacting in ways that are consistent with what they are thinking. You know, the idea that what you see is what you get. I believe that perceived authenticity is, in part, the result of my capacity to honestly represent myself. I also believe there is an integrity component. I’m an engineer, so I’ll offer an engineering example.
Think of the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 as the centerpiece of the World’s Fair in Paris and in commemoration of the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower has become a global cultural icon and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. What comes to mind when you think of the Eiffel Tower? When I see the Tower, I think of Paris, travel, romance, victory, accomplishment, ingenuity, vision, skill, hope, resistance... The Eiffel Tower is authentically French! But the Tower may not have earned its reputation had it not had a strong foundation and sound structural integrity. Without integrity, the Eiffel Tower would have perhaps succumbed to the strong winds and the threats of its enemies, even as it was authentic.
Naturally, the idea of integrity is different when we apply it to people rather than to the feats of architecture and engineering. Consider for a moment that integrity is synonymous with incorruptibility — the quality or state of being complete and undivided, the adherence to a set of values. What I’ve learned is that I am most authentic when I communicate, lead and make decisions that keep me in integrity with myself. My authenticity is predicated on my ability to know and understand what I believe about myself, about the people around me, and about the world; and on my capacity and courage to live by those convictions, regardless of the circumstances. In my quest to redefine leadership, I took time to gain clarity around my belief system and my core values. These are some of the questions I asked myself: What defines me? What do I believe? What are my boundaries? What am I willing/ not willing to compromise on? The answers to these questions provided the framework I needed. Authenticity became the natural consequence of my desire to live in integrity with my foundation.
An old mentor once suggested to me that the only way to change my leadership style was to develop new habits. He also said: “Habits are formed through practice and practice is always imperfect.” His statement was initially discouraging. But I quickly realized that it was also freeing. Once I accepted that I would sometimes fail I could examine situations objectively and learn from my mistakes which in turn created new opportunities to practice. And so began my upward spiral into leadership transformation.
My foundation is essentially the same as it was when I began this journey. But the way that it impacts my leadership style has changed as I’ve incorporated the insight I’ve gained over the years. While I suspect it will continue to evolve, my leadership philosophy is this.
“I am a passionate leader who communicates clearly and honestly; provides context to ideas, recommendations and decisions; invites and incorporates feedback; treats others with respect, kindness and compassion; listens and is curious; is patient, generous and humble; doesn't make impulsive decisions; trusts others; is not afraid to follow; and creates opportunities for others to learn, grow and succeed.”
I don’t get it right every time. For me, being authentic is difficult when I’m worried, frustrated, feeling criticized, or facing resistance. But I see those moments as opportunities to practice, and I rely on my foundation and desire to live in integrity to find the strength I need to continue to move ahead. Authenticity has been a significant influence in my personal and professional life and it has led to great friendships and restored relationships. It has also provided a framework for building trust, creating strong teams, and being a contributor to many success stories. My hope is that you will feel encouraged, moved and inspired to embrace your foundation and explore new ways of leading authentically.