Thank
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2013 we have chosen a subject which has universal appeal for all
businesses and organizations.
Addressing
the topic of authentic leadership is important from several
perspectives: humanity, organizationally and individually.
There is a hunger in our world for authentic people and leadership.
We need authentic leaders as role models for the best we can
be. We hope you find this article compelling to move you
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Authentic Leadership
By: Bill Spreitzer
Now,
more than ever, our companies, non-profit organizations, government,
faith communities, schools and most of all, our families, are in dire
need of authentic leaders. Historical figures that come to my mind
are: Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Pope
John Paul II, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy. Men and women
that inspired multitudes of people by courageously and wholeheartedly
putting the needs of others before his/her own - knowing that we are
all part of a much larger community: humankind.
So
what is "authenticity"?
It's
about being real - our insides match our external reality (no masks),
being vulnerable, being fully human, living one's life on purpose and
in alignment with our passions and values, being compassionate and
relating to others from our heart and soul. Simply put, it's about
being an original, not a copy of someone else - living each day as
the person, the gift we were born into this world to share in service
of others.
At
its most basic level, leadership is about getting intended results by
engaging other people. It's about doing the right things vs. the easy
or expected, making the tough decisions in the face of adversity
(courage), setting a vision and strategy, risk taking while playing a
bigger game, developing the talents, skills and passions of the team,
inspiring others to realize their potential, and to uphold the
standard of excellence even while mediocrity and comfort zones
threaten to tear it down.
Characteristics
of Authentically Led Organizations
When
a leader is authentic, powerful behaviors are put into action which
creates extraordinary results - a triple "win" for
individuals, the organization, and the larger market or community
being served. Here is a sampling of what shows up in the presence of
an authentic leader:
- A
culture where team members are honored,
valued and respected as unique individuals. Where the values,
talents and passions of each person are sought out, appreciated
and linked to the organization's mission.
- Quality
conversations occur frequently by using powerful questions and
by listening "generously" to diverse opinions.
- Sharing
of life stories that reveal our true selves, impart learning,
and more deeply connect us with our colleagues.
- Non-judgmental
accountability that is focused on results and behaviors and not
the person. Discussions are objective as possible so that open,
authentic dialogue can lead to moving powerfully forward with
renewed commitment. People know where they stand, honestly,
compassionately, and with good intention.
- The
leader lets go of control when appropriate and empowers his/her
team to do what is needed - accepting mistakes/missteps along
the way with grace and understanding ("failing
forward" as John Maxwell writes).
- Giving
credit where credit is due and taking responsibility when things
don't go according to plan. It is said that "success
belongs to the group, failure belongs to leadership." A
great example of this is when President John F. Kennedy publicly
owned the Bay of Pigs debacle and generously shared the
successful outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis with his
Cabinet.
- Encouraging
others to follow their internal "compass", with their
values, purpose and passions leading the way.
- Consistently
focusing outward in humble service to others.
Whether you are a formally appointed "leader"
in the organization that you serve or you are an associate member, by
authentically leading your colleagues, customers, constituents,
suppliers and other stakeholders, you build personal power and
influence that positions you to make a difference for the greater
good of your organization - an example for others to follow. Remember
that leading from the heart is contagious and inspiring - it's
powerfully authentic!
If you desire to enhance your leadership talents and
organizational results through authentically leading a fully engaged
and passionate team, give Dave, Susan and me a call - we are here to
serve!
Author's note: Several of my
comments were inspired and supported by David Irvine and Jim Reger, authors of "The Authentic
Leader".
Copyright protected, all rights reserved worldwide.
©2013
Bill Spreitzer - Excellerate Solutions, Inc.
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Small Entrepreneurial
Business of the Year for Companies with 1 to 5 Employees
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On March 6, 2013 Excellerate
Solutions was honored to present What is Your Work Style at NC
Biotechnology Center Jobs Spring Workshop
To learn more and view the slides,
click this link:
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Quick Links
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Previous
Newsletters
Nov/Dec 2012
·
Employee Engagement: A Differentiator for Your Success
September 2012
·
Passions, Passions, What are your Passions
July 2012
·
Storytelling: The Power to Shift the Conversation
June 2012
·
The Keys to Our Success - What Doors Can We Help You
Unlock?
·
8 Reasons Passion Matters
- The Power of Perspective
- 6 Steps to Achieve the
Results you want as a Leader
- Three Ways My Coaching Will
Improve Your Life
- Change: Something Lost,
Something Gained
February 2011
- How to Create a Positively
Contagious Attitude
- Do You Have a Coach?
January 2011
- The New Normal
- Becoming an Entrepreneur:
Taking a Leap of Faith
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Motivational
Quotes
"Brains,
like hearts, go where they are appreciated." "In
everyone's life, at sometime, our inner fire goes out. It is then
burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should
all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
- Albert
Schweitzer
"The
privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."
- Carl Jung
"If
your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and
become more, you are a leader."
- John Quincy
Adams
"A
good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing
that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge
stronger." - Nelson Mandela
"No
one man can, for any considerable time, wear one face to himself, and
another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to
which is the true one." - Nathaniel
Hawthorne
"To be what we are, and to
become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in
life." - Robert Louis Stevenson
"Just
be what you are and speak from your guts and heart - it's all a man
has." - Hubert
Humphrey
"Everything we see is but a
mirror of what we are." - Gerald Jampolsky
.
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