In a recent blog, we identified AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP as a core focus for great leaders.
The four key areas of focus for developing greater AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP are:
1. Self-Awareness
First and most important, Authentic Leaders are individuals who can develop self-awareness from their experiences. And act on that awareness by practicing their values and principles.
2. Learning from Your Life Story
It is your personal narrative that matters, not the mere facts of your life.
3. Knowing Your Authentic Self
People trust you when you are genuine and authentic.
4. Practicing Your Values and Principles
The values that form the basis for authentic leadership are derived from your beliefs and convictions. Leadership principles are values translated into action.
A great model for connecting your values to your AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP framework was presented by Coach Chris Doyle, University of Iowa’s Strength and Conditioning Coach.
A great simple model he defined as CULTURE:
CULTURE =
- [Values]
PLUS
- [Behaviors / congruent with values]
LESS
- [What you are willing to tolerate / not congruent with your values]
Part of Disney’s Mindset Training for team members contains the following two tenets:
- We all judge ourselves by our intent.
- We all judge everyone else by their behaviors.
BEHAVIORS are driven by THINKING.
Earl Nightingale taught, in his best-selling self-help recording of 1956, the greatest secret is that we become what we think of most. Our behaviors are driven by our thinking. Our thoughts grow in three primary directions:
- Toward what we want.
- Away from what we want.
- Amplify emotional waste and drama.
AUTHENTIC LEADERS
- Know their values.
- Focus their thinking (thoughts grow) on behaviors consistent with their values.
- Continue to focus on RIGHT THINKING for VALUES BASED BEHAVIORS.
Have you defined your values?
Onward and Upward,
Steve
