Building Trust and Engagement Through Authentic Leadership

Throughout my entire life I have always been drawn to people that are authentically themselves. When I started my business, I was given the advice to lean into who I am because there are other people out there doing similar things, but what makes my services unique is me. That’s true for every business owner and leader out there! Creating an environment that reflects, and stays true to who you are is one of the most important aspects of leadership as it fosters trust, consistency, and respect. If you can align your actions with your values you can create a transparent and supportive work environment that not only attracts, but retains talent. 

Let’s take a look at some pointers on how to lead authentically:

Self-Awareness: 

Self-Awareness is the first step. Understand your core values, strengths, and weaknesses. Reflect on your unique experiences and how they shape your leadership style.Self-aware leaders are better at recognizing and managing their emotions. This ability helps in maintaining composure, making rational decisions, and responding to situations appropriately. Consistency is key when it comes to leadership and by knowing yourself and staying true to your values, this will be a breeze! Developing self-awareness is a continuous process that requires introspection, openness to feedback, and a commitment to personal growth. It enables leaders to lead with authenticity, build stronger relationships, and create a positive impact on their organizations.

Transparency: 

Transparency is a vital aspect of authentic leadership, involving open and honest communication.Share your thoughts, feelings, and most importantly, the why behind decisions. Being transparent about your goals and expectations builds credibility and trust and makes sure everyone is on the same page. Honest communication can work both ways- be open to receiving feedback and make sure you are consistently giving it. When making decisions, think about who you can include in the process. Involving your team and encouraging input increases ownership and engagement. 

Integrity: 

Align your words with your actions. Consistency in behavior and follow through on commitments reinforces trust and demonstrates authenticity. If employees feel they can trust you and that you are making decisions fairly and ethically, they are more likely to come to you with questions, ideas or concerns. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees that trust their leaders are 50% more productive, have 13% fewer sick days, and 76% more engagement! 

Empathy: 

Empathy in leadership is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering a supportive and connected work environment. A great way to start is by practicing active listening. Pay close attention to what others are saying, without interrupting, to show that you value their perspectives and concerns. This does not mean you need to have an immediate solution, you just need to listen, offer support, and validate their experience. Emotional awareness is also very important when practicing empathy. By getting to know your team and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves, you will be able to have a greater sense of emotional awareness. Empathetic leadership improves employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational health by creating a more understanding and supportive work culture.

Authentic leadership is a powerful approach that emphasizes self-awareness, transparency, integrity, and empathy. By understanding and aligning with your core values, being honest and open in communication, consistently acting with integrity, and showing genuine empathy towards their team, authentic leaders build trust, foster a positive work environment, and inspire high levels of engagement and performance. Practicing these principles fosters a positive and authentic leadership approach that can inspire and engage your team to build the culture of your dreams!