Leadership<\/p>\n
At first glance, this book seemed massive and overwhelming. I decided to take a different approach to reading this book. I will be honest, inspectional reading is my only option at this point in the semester as my leadership responsibilities are bleeding over into every aspect of my life, I feel like the role is taking over my life. One of the bigger struggles that I am facing is trying to remain true to my style of leadership in the midst of so many daily challenges. I decided to look for answers in this book. I sought out practical tools to help me in this week\u2019s reading. I was drawn to Chapter 9- Authentic Leadership.<\/p>\n
Transformational Versus Authentic<\/p>\n
\u201cAuthentic Leadership represents one of the newer areas of leadership research. It focuses on whether leadership is genuine and \u201creal\u201d. As the title of this approach implies, authentic leadership is about the authenticity of leaders and their leadership.\u201d(1)
\nFor years, the popular term as been \u201ctransformational leadership\u201d. I have participated in many Executive Searches and the term is used on both sides of the interview table. Organizations want a \u201cTransformational\u201d Leader that can take the organization to the next level and Candidates often describe themselves as \u201cTransformational\u201d Leaders, touting the ability to move the organization forward. What is often overlooked is the characteristics that are truly required to move the needle. Staff and Constituents want someone that is who that say they are. They want to know that they can count on you to do the things that you commit to doing. I have found that the razzle dazzle approach to leadership no longer works. Authenticity is desired more than big promises. Northouse states, \u201cPeople\u2019s demands for trustworthy leadership make the study of authentic leadership timely and worthwhile.\u201d (2) There is a greater opportunity to work collaboratively with staff and supporters when the leader is authentic and committed to fostering the same in the organization. As Northouse states, \u201cAuthenticity emerges from the interactions between leaders and followers. It is a reciprocal process because leaders affect followers and followers affect leaders.\u201d (3) I am grateful that this approach is being study and included as a respectable style of leadership. <\/p>\n
The Approach<\/p>\n
Northouse distinguishes authentic leadership into two approaches, he states, \u201cformulations about authentic leadership can be differentiated into two areas: (1) the practical approach, which evolved from real-life examples as well as the training and development of literature; and (2) the theoretical approach, which is based on findings form social science research.\u201d (3) I will focus on the practical approach. As I stated earlier in the post, I am seeking tools that I can apply in my current role as Interim CEO. <\/p>\n
Northouse introduces Bill Goerge a corporate executive with years of experiences, he says \u201cGeorge found that authentic leaders have a genuine desire to serve others, they know themselves, and they feel free to lead from their core values.\u201d (4) George presents five basic leadership characteristics that authentic leaders demonstrate: \u201c(1) They have a strong sense of purpose, (2) they have strong values about the right thing to do, (3) they establish trusting relationships with other, (4) they demonstrate self-discipline and act on their values, and (5) they are sensitive and empathetic to the plight of others (George, 2003).\u201d (5)
\nAs George defines, these authentic leadership characteristics he states, \u201cThey have a clear idea of who they are, where they are going, and what the right thing is to do. When tested in difficult situations, authentic leaders do not compromise their values, but rather use those situations to strengthen their values.\u201d (6) What is interesting is that George keeps compassion and heart as essential aspects of authentic leadership. These are often seen as weaknesses in leadership. What I appreciate about George\u2019s approach is that it gives direction and activities that can help to develop skills that may not be natural for some. <\/p>\n
Case Study <\/p>\n
I love Brene Brown. I have felt a connection to her work since her first book was published. She is a friend of my mentor and I remain hopeful that one day we will connect through the beautiful person that we have in common. I selected the Chapter before I realized that she was the subject of one of the case studies. Her work on authenticity, shame and fear is remarkable. I am sharing a passage from her book, Braving the Wilderness that really speaks to walking bravely in your authentic self, she writes:
\n\u201cTrue belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn\u2019t require you to change who you ate; it requires you to be who you are.\u201d (7)
\nI decided to be brave and take the Leadership Self- Assessment Questionnaire created by Walumbwa and Associates.
\nHere is my score:
\nSelf- Awareness 18
\nInternalized Moral Perspective 20
\nBalanced Processing 15
\nRelational Transparency 16
\nMy scores indicate that I have a high authentic leadership in the areas of self-awareness, Internalized Moral Perspective, and Relational Transparency and I have a low authentic leadership in the area of Balanced Processing. I encourage you to also take the assessment on Page 249-250. You just might be surprised by your scores!<\/p>\n
1.Peter Northouse, Leadership: Theory & Practice (Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2022), 221.
\n2.Ibid., 221.
\n3.Ibid., 222.
\n4.Ibid., 222.
\n5.Ibid., 223.
\n6.Peter Northouse, Leadership: Theory & Practice (Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2022), 225.
\n7.Brene\u0301 Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone (New York: Random House, 2019), 40.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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