Authentic Leadership

A note from Gene...

A number of years back, I embarked upon a Masters in Counseling program at NYU. I was really excited as I was pursuing my lifelong interest in the science of psychology. Through diligent study, I thought, I'd become a master and be able to guide people down the road to self actualization. One day, while sitting in a large lecture hall listening to Dr. Jeremy Leeds (a highly regarded Professor of Psychology) my bubble was burst. Dr. Leeds explained that there was no science to psychology – that no books or teachers could teach us how to be successful counselors or coaches. "What you'll have to do," he explained, "is bundle your life experiences and your view of the world with your learnings and then mold them into the uniqueness that is you." At first, I was disgruntled to learn that there was no magic formula. Later on, I came to embrace his message. Just as no two thumbprints are the same, no two coaches are the same. The same is true of leaders. Your unique style of leadership is the topic of this issue. Enjoy.

Authentic Leadership

"Leadership is a process - an intimate expression of who we are." ~ Kevin Cashman

I own too many books on leadership. I don't think I can (or want to) read one more. The topic is beginning to bore me. You'd have to be superhuman to manifest the qualities touted by the authors of these books. I don't really think it's a bad thing to read about leadership. I just think there comes a point in time where the answers you're seeking cannot be found on the written page. Rather, they can only be found within yourself. Of course, you need to communicate effectively, drive results, think strategically and develop your team. But, all this "outer work" must be merged with the "inner work" if you are to realize your greatest potential as a leader. Inner work requires that you look deeply inside of yourself and find that part of you that is your unique, authentic self. It is the best of you – and it is the essence of great leadership. To complicate things a bit, there is no roadmap explaining how to do the necessary inner work that leads to authenticity. Still, there are some tips that will help you to get there. These tips, which have to do with who you are being (vs. what you are doing) include the following:

• You are calm. You aren't harried. You make time for people. When you are speaking with someone, he/she has your undivided, unrushed attention.

• You are courageous. You are unafraid of presenting your position, even if it is out of sync with anyone else – including those more senior than you.

• You are kind. Your words are carefully chosen. There is no judgement in your thought, your speech or your tone.

• You are confident. You have "put the boots on" and assume an air of confidence that is reflective of your authentic self.

• You are choice-conscious. You refrain from being reactive or rash. Rather, you take sufficient time to step back and make choices that take into account desired intentions and long term ramifications.

If you are coming from a place that is calm, courageous, kind, confident and choice-conscious, your authentic self will emerge and thrive. And, when you merge your authenticity with the many foundational skills of leadership, you create your own unique and powerful brand of authentic leadership. There is only one you; just as your thumbprint is unique, so too is the you who blends the inner and outer work and emerges as a uniquely authentic leader. If you'd like to read just one more (uniquely different) book about the inner work of leadership, see Leadership from the Inside Out by Kevin Cashman.