Three Key Questions for Being an Authentic Leader

Let’s explore authenticity and the benefits it provides you and your organization.

1. How would you define being authentic in the workplace?

Authentic means of undisputed origin; genuine. It means being real and true. Being authentic starts with knowing and nurturing yourself. Think of the ancient advice inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi sometime before 500 BCE: “Know thyself.” This is where you will find your passion. Or, consider the wisdom in the Joe Jackson song: “You can’t get what you want ’til you know what you want.” You can’t know what you want until you know who you are.

How do you know who you are? The answer is understanding your values and gifts.

• Values: core beliefs, ideology, ethics, morals, attitudes, and ideas. They define who you are and what is meaningful to you.
• Gifts: talents, experience, abilities, education, and traits. They mold how you can uniquely contribute.

The intersection of values and gifts describes what you are passionate about. Being authentic in the workplace is living true to your values and using your gifts.

2. What power does authenticity bring you and your organization?

When you are authentic you are pursuing a passionate purpose and this brings you satisfaction. Ordinary people become extraordinary when their passion is aligned with a purpose. Passionate pursuers also help their organization produce extraordinary results. The pursuit of passionate purpose brings energy, enthusiasm, zeal and joy. It feels good. Anyone interested in feeling good? Of course!  Learn more here.

3. What would you tell someone who runs into the downside of being authentic at work?

To thine own self be true. Yet, you want to be authentic in a balanced way. Allow others to be authentic too.

There may be certain work environments that do not allow you to be authentic. Then you need to decide whether to live with it, try to change it, or move on. The choice is yours.

My Story

When I was Chief Information Officer for the State of Colorado, I was pleasantly surprised on one of my initial days on the job.  One of the technical directors in my 1000-person organization came to introduce herself.  She shared that she had been a rising star at a fast-growing technology venture, making more money than in her current position with the state.  However, she became disenchanted and made the move to government to make a meaningful difference.  “I didn’t want to spend my life selling more widgets.  I want to really contribute.”  She knew her values and lived true to her authentic self.  What about you?

Conclusion

Being authentic in the workplace is living true to your values and using your gifts. Authenticity brings passion, energy, enthusiasm, zeal, and joy. It feels good. It produces extraordinary results. Know and nurture yourself. To thine own self be true.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. is a tech and cybersecurity-savvy C-level executive, 3x tech entrepreneur, Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), and Certified Corporate Director (NACD.DC) who is the co-founder and Board Director of Radish Systems. As the former State of Colorado Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Colorado CIO of the Year, she runs Technology and Management Solutions, a consulting firm. She researched, authored, and speaks about her best-selling book Pursuit of Passionate Purpose: Success Strategies for a Rewarding Personal and Business Life.

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