{"id":34380,"date":"2023-11-30T16:56:10","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T00:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=34380"},"modified":"2023-11-30T16:57:29","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T00:57:29","slug":"prince-harrys-todger-tale-a-royal-lesson-in-keeping-it-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/prince-harrys-todger-tale-a-royal-lesson-in-keeping-it-real\/","title":{"rendered":"Prince Harry’s ‘Todger’ Tale: A Royal Lesson in Keeping It Real"},"content":{"rendered":"

Merriam-Wesbter\u2019s 2023 word of the year is authentic[1]. There are many definitions for authentic but the specific use of it that resulted in the dictionary publisher giving it top honours is \u201cNot false or imitation. Real.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the methods Merriam-Webster uses to determine its word of the year is by studying search trends and results. Not surprisingly, with the growing popularity of AI where words, images, motion pictures and voice can all be made to seem incredibly real, \u201cauthentic\u201d has been tapped into Google plenty.<\/p>\n

Plus, the likes of Taylor Swift and Prince Harry promote authenticity by wearing their life on their sleeves. Swift through her Eras concert tour featuring a three-hour rewind through her music filled with tales of her real heart-ache and full heart moments. Prince Harry\u2019s memoir provided a real look behind the velvet curtain of England\u2019s monarchy and included intimate details of his frostbitten \u201ctodger\u201d[2].<\/p>\n

The editor-at-large responsible for leading Merriam-Webster\u2019s word of the year project says the public definitely has a trust problem. No more evident is this true than how we view politicians. The public\u2019s trust in our elected officials is at a 65 year low[3]. The Pew Research Centre measures this by asking Americans if they trust the federal government \u201cto do what is right.\u201d In 2023 less than 1% of Americans said they expected this \u201cmost of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chart\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In Toronto, the left-leaning mayor campaigned on fighting the provincial government to maintain public access to Toronto\u2019s waterfront. However, online forums erupted with cries of betrayal and accusations of her \u201cfakeness\u201d when she horse-traded this posture for uploading infrastructure costs to the Province. Was her vow to fight for this just posturing and a bargaining chip or did she really believe it. If Peter G. Northouse’s, Leadership: Theory and Practice, has any merit then the answer is no[4].<\/p>\n

Northouse suggests an authentic leader could not betray their values and purpose because this is at the core of what being an authentic leader is all about.<\/p>\n

According to Northouse, authentic leadership is when a leader’s values align with their actions. This authenticity comes from three sources;<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Intrapersonal Perspective: This perspective suggests that a leader’s authenticity is shaped by their experiences, beliefs and values. It’s about how their life story influences their leadership style.<\/li>\n
  2. Interpersonal Perspective: In this view authenticity emerges from the leader’s interaction with their team. It involves building trust and forming connections, where followers perceive their leaders as authentic through these dynamics.<\/li>\n
  3. Developmental Perspective; Northouse proposes that authentic leadership can develop over time. This growth is based on self awareness, ethical standards and a commitment to development enabling leaders to adapt as they learn and progress.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Northouse\u2019s framework suggests that genuine leadership authenticity goes beyond authenticity; it is a process of aligning one’s inner self with their leadership actions.<\/p>\n

    Leaders should prioritize authenticity not as a fad but as a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. When leaders are genuine they establish a bedrock of trust that’s difficult to undermine. This trust goes beyond sentiment; it yields results. Teams built on trust function like well-oiled machines smoothly navigating challenges, without friction.<\/p>\n

    Moreover authentic leaders bring a compass to the table. They make decisions that are not only intelligent but also morally right. This ethical leadership sets the tone for everyone’s conduct.<\/p>\n

    Additionally authenticity has the power to transform culture. It cultivates an environment where individuals feel valued, listened to and empowered. This goes beyond boosting morale; it enhances effectiveness. In cultures employees demonstrate engagement, innovation and dedication. They’re not merely working for a paycheque; they’re contributing to something more genuine. Ultimately authenticity doesn’t just enhance leaders; it elevates the organization[5].<\/p>\n

    Authentic leadership has its downsides. In particular it is dependent a lot on how well the leader knows themself and how versed they are in self-awareness. Unfortuntaely this can be tricky and not always the same for everyone. Northouse rightly points out critics argue this makes it difficult to accurately measure and replicate authenticity.<\/p>\n

    Another worry is leaders might be reckless in self-disclosure leading to blurred boundaries and favouritism. Also, what a leader believes might not fit well with what the company or team needs, especially in places with a high level of diversity. It’s important to remember that being a good leader means ensuring what aligns with wider organizational objectives and ethical standards[6].<\/p>\n

    Thinking of Merriam-Webster\u2019s choice of \u201cauthentic\u201d as the word of the year, its significance in our everyday lives becomes evident. In a world that craves genuineness one could argue that “authentic” should be regarded as the word of the decade.<\/p>\n

    It serves as a call to action urging us to embrace sincerity in our pursuits, leadership roles and relationships. Embracing authenticity is not merely a passing trend: it stands as a north star, for fostering honesty, trustworthiness and ultimately finding fulfillment on our professional journeys.<\/p>\n

    [1] CBC.<\/p>\n\n

    . Available at: https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/player\/play\/2287601731551. Accessed November 30, 2023.<\/p>\n

    [2] Bulgarella C. Three Ways To Tap Into Taylor Swift’s Authenticity And Build An ‘Eras’-Like Workplace. Forbes. Available at: https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/caterinabulgarella\/2023\/10\/20\/three-ways-to-tap-into-taylor-swifts-authenticity-and-build-an-eras-like-workplace\/?sh=6e8665bb18b7. Published October 20, 2023. Accessed November 30, 2023.<\/p>\n

    [3] Pew Research Center. Public Trust in Government: 1958-2023. Pew Research Center Politics & Policy. Available at: https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/politics\/2023\/09\/19\/public-trust-in-government-1958-2023\/. Published September 19, 2023. Accessed November 30, 2023.<\/p>\n

    [4] Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice. 9th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2021, 222<\/p>\n

    [5] Ibid, p232<\/p>\n

    [6] Ibid, p235<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Merriam-Wesbter\u2019s 2023 word of the year is authentic[1]. There are many definitions for authentic but the specific use of it that resulted in the dictionary publisher giving it top honours is \u201cNot false or imitation. Real.\u201d One of the methods Merriam-Webster uses to determine its word of the year is by studying search trends and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":175,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2310],"tags":[2489,2258],"class_list":["post-34380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctor-of-leadership-3","tag-dlgp02","tag-northouse","cohort-dlgp02"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/175"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34380"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34383,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34380\/revisions\/34383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}