Friday Focus!

TGIF!!!

Today we jump into the Authenticity chapter of Doug Dickerson’s book, Leaders Without Borders.

While no leader is perfect, certain warning signs – red flags, if you will – must be identified that present challenges to authenticity.
The call to authentic leadership begins when we expose the red flags that present authentic leadership from flourishing.
Three types of leaders are a direct challenge to authentic leadership.

The leader with a halo.
This leader has an image issue.
For the leader with a halo, his real identity is a mystery.
Perception over reality is precisely what he prefers.
Authenticity is a foundation stone of success for any leader, and the road to success is paces with setbacks, disappointments, and failures.
While humanity is sometimes perceived as a sign of weakness, the leader with the halo can find great fulfillment when coming to terms with his humanity.
Not only is it liberating but the leader’s humanity usually comes as no surprise to those around him.

The leader with the inflated ego has a realness issue.
A fundamental difference exists between confidence in one’s abilities and gifts to succeed (humility) and artificial self-worth (arrogance).
Authentic leadership has a vested interest in the lives and well-being of others.
A fundamental difference separates a healthy perception of your God-given talents (a gift) and a self-assumption (pretense) that alienates you.
A wise leader serves in humility with a grateful appreciation for the gifts and abilities he has.
He does not allow ego to derail his leadership, and he leads with authenticity.

The politico leader has a relationship issue.
The office politics that controls many organizations may be seen as a necessary evil, but nothing destroys organizational morale more than politics.
When leadership places politics over principle, the life of the organization suffers.
Authentic leaders are relationship builders and are aware of the temptations that office politics presents and the damage it can cause.
When healthy relationships exist within your organization, the degree of office politics is diminished.

Authentic leadership is restored when halos lose their shine, egos are checked at the door, and office politics is discouraged.

~Evolution of Self
#authenticity #leadership #relationships #success #fridayfocus

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