Success in your leadership role is only possible if you are authentic about your values and personality.

This means that you perform your duties without compromising your identity. People are more likely to trust managers who have an authentic identity. 

So, what is authenticity all about?

It refers to the match of external behavior with internal values and feelings. Authenticity comes from knowing your personal leadership philosophy — and making decisions that represent your morals, principles, and values.  

Why is Authenticity Important for Managers?

Trust is a critical factor that helps people identify who they want to follow and work with. So, if they see incongruence in your personality and behavior, they will perceive it as duplicity.

A person behaving one way at work while acting differently in real life comes across as make-believe. And once people see through it, they ultimately lose trust in your leadership.

It is essential for managers who aim to become leaders to understand that their personal choices significantly influence how people see them. 

If people choose to follow you, they'll notice everything about your life. They will observe how you live and how it matches the stories you tell.

Therefore, it is more than necessary to be yourself to present an authentic image in front of the people who follow you than to pretend to be something you are not. People will see right through you... 

What are the Characteristics That Make an Authentic Leader? 

Authentic leaders build strong character that aligns with their beliefs and attitudes. It appeals to the people working with them since they will see the leader as reliable and honest. Here are some skills and characteristics that an authentic leader has: 

• Self-awareness: The leader knows their faults and shortcomings and is aware of how they show up with others. 
• Realism: The leader should be modest and humble. Share the glory and recognition with your team members.
• Compassion: Make the right decisions with integrity.
• Ethical: Make decisions that are in the best interest of all the stakeholders rather than just yourself. 
• Visionary: It empowers you to plan for future possibilities and helps your employees know what direction to follow. 

These few skills help managers position themselves as a more authentic and credible leader. 

How Can You Become a Leader? 

Becoming an authentic leader isn't rocket science. Work on the skills mentioned above, and people will start to trust you. Here are a few tips to help you with it: 

• Work on your communication to ensure you deliver your message clearly
• Show a sincere passion for bringing a change within the norms that are beneficial for all stakeholders 
• Ensure that you have the support of your subordinates before making radical changes
• Enhance your assessment and evaluation skills to ensure your behavior aligns with your values
• Boost your self-awareness to know the things that you care about

Bottom-line

A reliable and authentic leader will gain the trust of their people. Those who have chosen to follow another will have confidence in that person's leadership, enabling everyone to continue their journey of success.