The Resourced Leaders Guide #2: Nurturing Authentic Leadership
Welcome back to another edition of the Resourced Leaders Guide! As we continue our journey towards transformative leadership and holistic living, this weekly resource serves as your compass, providing trauma-informed insights, tools, and teachings to guide you on the path of resourced leadership. My mission is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to lead authentically and drive positive change in the world.
Authentic Leadership: A Pillar of Transformation
This week I want to delve into the topic of authentic leadership and its significance across various domains. This is a topic close to my heart. As a young leader working in the field of gender equality I struggled with a lot of self-doubt and was always worried what others thought of me. Thanks to my own healing work and a more regulated nervous system I’m much more authentic and comfortable with who I am these days. It feels safer to be me. But I know first hand that its hard to be authentic when overwhelmed by fear and self-doubt and we don’t have the tools to regulate.
Authentic leadership isn't just an idea for me; it's a beacon that guides me towards fostering genuine connections, helping others, and creating meaningful impact. In the spheres of international development, social change, and business, I believe that authenticity can help us be more powerful catalysts for positive change.
Understanding Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership goes beyond the surface, reaching into the depths of our being. It involves aligning our actions and decisions with our core values and beliefs. When we lead authentically, we inspire trust, create safe spaces, and encourage open communication. But what exactly do we need to know about authentic leadership?
Four Key Insights into Authentic Leadership
Self-Awareness: Authentic leaders have a deep understanding of our strengths, weaknesses, and values. This self-awareness allows us to make decisions that are aligned with our true selves. This is why I have worked with a coach for a long time so I can continue to learn about myself and grow.
Transparency: Authentic leadership thrives on openness. If we are transparent about our intentions, goals, and challenges we can create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.
Genuine Relationships: Building genuine relationships is at the core of authenticity. Leaders who foster connections based on empathy and mutual respect forge stronger teams.
Adaptability: Authentic leaders embrace vulnerability and are willing to adapt. We acknowledge our mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth. Parenting has been a great adaptability builder for me.
Strategies for Cultivating Authentic Leadership
Reflection: Set aside time for introspection. Regularly reflect on your values, intentions, and actions to ensure they're aligned.
Active Listening: Pay attention to others without judgment. Listening actively fosters understanding and strengthens connections.
Vulnerability: Embrace vulnerability by sharing your challenges and learning moments. This encourages a culture of openness.
Consistent Communication: Keep those around you informed about your decisions, thought processes, and aspirations. Consistent communication builds trust.
Nervous system regulation: Practice tools to regulate your own nervous system so you can reduce fear and self-doubt and show up in a more calm, balanced and open state.
In any discussion about authenticity its also important to talk about safety. People who experience marginalization on the basis of their gender, sexual identity, race or other identity may not always feel safe showing up as their authentic self, and rightly so. If this is you, please continue to do what you need to do to feel safe. At the same time I encourage you to channel some energy into finding inclusive spaces, networks and environments where it does feel safe for you to be yourself. Work with a coach or therapist to release any internalized discrimination you may be carrying, so that overtime you can create a life where you can feel and be more of yourself.
Authentic Leadership Tool
Unlocking Authentic Leadership through Self-Reflection
My journey towards authentic leadership began with a deep exploration of my early life and beliefs. I encourage my clients to do the same and want to share a few prompting questions with you as a guide.
From our formative years, we absorb lessons about how to navigate the world around us. By examining what we learned during our upbringing, we gain invaluable insights into the foundation of our belief system and the lenses through which we perceive and engage with the world. Whether it's our beliefs about money, relationships, work, or life itself, these patterns were often woven into the fabric of our early experiences. We may also have internalized patriarchal, racist or other discriminatory messaging as we grew up. But as we grow and evolve, some of these beliefs may no longer serve us well. By taking the time to reflect on the roots of our convictions, we not only gain a clearer understanding of our own motivations but also open the door to shedding limiting beliefs and embracing a more authentic leadership style. Self-reflection is the compass guiding us toward a leadership approach that aligns our actions with our true values, enabling us to lead with authenticity.
To do this work simply ask yourself these questions:
What did I learn by example about money, relationships, family, work, leadership etc growing up?
What are my core underlying beliefs about myself, money, relationships, family, work, leadership etc based on what I learned about life growing up?
How do these beliefs play out in my life today?
What beliefs do I hold about myself, money, relationships, family, work, leadership etc that are no longer serving me?
If you could release what’s no longer working for you, how might your life be different? How could I lead differently?
A Few Final Thoughts
Throughout the week I’ll be sharing more tools and resources about authentic leadership. Remember that authentic leadership is a journey, not a destination. By embodying authenticity, we not only become better leaders but also create a positive ripple effect that resonates throughout our organizations and beyond.
Stay tuned for more insights, tools, and teachings on your journey of resourced leadership. Until next week,
Kate xx
P.S Make sure you never miss an edition of the Resourced Leaders Guide by subscribing below. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for additional daily tools and practices.
Want to dig deeper? Check out my holistic, trauma informed leadership training commencing in October.