UnderstandingAuthenticLeadership
CoreFocus:AuthenticLeadershipPresence
Thisworkbookexploresthetransformationfrompositionalauthoritytoinspirationalinfluence throughthedevelopmentoffouressentialleadershipqualitiesthatcapturehearts,minds,and souls.
"Ifyouwanttosilencearoomofexecutives,askthem:'Whywouldanyonewanttobeledby you?'Thisquestionstrikesattheheartofauthenticleadershipandthequalitiesthattrulyinspire followers."
TheUltimateLeadershipQuestion
Intoday'sempoweredbusinessenvironment,followersarehardtofind.Inspirationalleaders don'tjusthavevisionandenergytheypossessfourunexpectedqualitiesthatcreategenuine connectionandinspirecommitmenttoorganizationalgoals.
TheAuthenticityImperative
Youcan'taccomplishanythinginbusinesswithoutfollowers.Butinthese"empowered"times, followersareincreasinglydifficulttoattractandretain.Traditionalleadershipapproachesthat relysolelyonpositionalpowerarenolongersufficient.
Whatseparatestrulyinspirationalleadersfromthosewhosimplyholdpositionsofauthority? Theanswerliesnotinwhattheydo,butinwhotheyareandmoreimportantly,how authenticallytheyexpressthatidentityintheirleadershiprole.
TheCrisisofLeadershipandtheSearchforAuthenticity
TheLeadershipParadox
Lastyearalone,over2,000booksonleadershipwerepublished,yetmostadvicemissesthe wholetruth.Everyoneagreesleadersneedvision,energy,authority,andstrategicdirectionbut that'sjusttablestakesforauthenticleadership.
Through25yearsofresearch,consultingwiththousandsofexecutivesworldwide,andtesting theoriesinrealorganizationalsettings,researchersRobertGoffeeandGarethJonesdiscovered thatauthenticleadershiprequiressomethingfarmorenuancedthantraditionalleadershipmodels suggest.
YourLeadershipFoundation
Thinkabouttheleaderswhohavemostinspiredyouthroughoutyourcareer.Whatqualities madethemmemorable?Howdidtheymakeyoufeelwhenyouworkedwiththem?What separatedthemfromleaderswhosimplyheldpositionsofauthority?
TheFourEssentialLeadershipQualities
BuildingInspirationalLeadershipAuthentically
Thesefourqualitiescannotbeusedmechanicallytheymustbecomepartofyourpersonality. Thechallengeistobeyourself,butwithmoreskill,adaptingthesequalitiestocreateapersonal stylethatworksforyou.
Quality1
SelectiveWeakness
Showvulnerabilitystrategically
Quality2
SituationSensing
Readsoftdataintuitively
Quality3
ToughEmpathy
Carepassionatelyyetrealistically
Quality4 UniqueDifferences
Capitalizeonwhat'sunique
IntegratedAuthenticity
Thesefourqualitiesworktogethertocreateleaderswhoexcelatinspiringpeoplecapturing hearts,minds,andsouls.Youmayreachatoppositionwithoutthem,butfewpeoplewillwantto beledbyyou.
TheArtofContextualApplication
Thereisnouniversalformulaforusingthesequalities.What'sneededvariesfromcontextto context,andtheresultsareoftensubtle.Theartliesinmixingandmatchingthesequalitiesto findtherightstylefortherightmomentwhilemaintainingauthenticself-expression.
YourNaturalTendencies
Asyouconsiderthesefourqualities,whichonesfeelmostnaturaltoyou?Whichoneschallenge youthemost?Howdoyoucurrentlyexpressauthenticityinyourleadershiprole?
Quality1:RevealYourWeaknesses
ShowVulnerabilityStrategicallytoBuildTrustandCollaboration
Authenticleadersunderstandthatshowingvulnerabilitywhendonestrategicallybuilds deeperconnectionswiththeirteamsthanprojectingperfectionevercould.Thisisn'tabout revealingeveryflaw,butaboutcarefullychoosingmomentsofopennessthathumanizeyouand createcollaborativeatmospheres.
TheStrategicApproachtoVulnerability
AdmittobeingirritableonMondaymorningsorsomewhatdisorganized Ownuptotangentialflaws,neverfatalones
Chooseweaknessesthatcouldbeseenasstrengths(likeworkaholism)
Usevulnerabilitytoestablishtrustandcollaborativeatmosphere
Showyou'rehumanandapproachable,notperfect
Createsolidaritybetweenyourselfandyourfollowers
VulnerabilityIndicators:Peoplefeelcomfortableapproachingyouandofferinghelp.Yourteam seesyouasapproachableandhumanratherthanuntouchable.
TheBalanceofStrengthandVulnerability
Thekeyisrevealingweaknessesthatdon'tundermineyourcorecompetenceorleadership capability.Effectiveleaderssharestruggleswithwork-lifebalanceratherthanadmittingthey don'tunderstandthebusiness.Theyacknowledgepersonalityquirksratherthanprofessional incompetence.
Thisstrategicvulnerabilitycreatesanenvironmentwhereothersfeelsafetobehumantoo fosteringinnovation,honestcommunication,andgenuinecollaboration.
YourVulnerabilityStrategy
Whataspectsofyourpersonalityorworkingstylecouldyousharemoreopenlytobuild connectionwithyourteam?Howmightstrategicvulnerabilityimproveyourrelationshipsand teamdynamics?Whatboundarieswouldyoumaintain?
Quality2:BecomeaSensor
DevelopIntuitiveAbilitytoReadSituationsandCollectSoftData
Greatleaderspossessanalmostsupernaturalabilitytoreadtheroom,senseunspokentensions, andpickuponsubtlecuesthatothersmiss.Thisisn'tmagicit'sadevelopedskillingathering andinterpretingthe"softdata"thatrevealswhat'sreallyhappeningbeneaththesurface.
TheArtofReadingBetweentheLines
Detectshiftsinclimateandambienceaccurately
Readsubtlecuesandsenseunderlyingcurrentsofopinion
Gaugeunexpressedfeelingswithprecision
Judgewhetherrelationshipsareworkingeffectively
Pickuponnonverbalcuesandorganizationalsilences
Validateperceptionswithtrustedadvisorstoavoidprojection
SensingIndicators:Youconsistentlyanticipateissuesandunderstandunspokendynamics. Peoplecommentonyourabilityto"readtheroom"andsensewhatothersarethinkingor feeling.
BeyondtheObviousData
Whileothersfocussolelyonspreadsheetsandreports,authenticleaderstuneintothehuman elementsthatdriveorganizationalsuccess.Theynoticewhenenthusiasmwanes,whenconflict simmersbeneathpoliteness,andwhenteamsaretrulyalignedversussimplycompliant.
Thissensingabilityallowsleaderstointervenebeforesmallissuesbecomemajorproblems,to recognizewhenstrategiesaren'tresonatingemotionally,andtoadapttheirapproachbasedonthe realnotreportedorganizationalclimate.
DevelopingYourSensingAbilities
Howattunedareyoutotheemotionalandrelationaldynamicsinyourorganization?What signalsmightyoubemissing?Howcouldyoudevelopstronger"sensors"forreadingsituations andpeoplemoreaccurately?
Quality3:PracticeToughEmpathy
CareIntenselyWhileGivingPeopleWhatTheyNeedtoExcel
Authenticleaderspracticewhatseemslikeacontradiction:theycaredeeplyabouttheirpeople whilemakingtoughdecisionsabouttheirdevelopmentandperformance.Thisisn'tcold calculationit'scaringsomuchaboutpeople'sgrowththatyou'rewillingtohaveuncomfortable conversationsandmakedifficultchoices.
TheParadoxofCaringLeadership
Empathizefiercelywithpeopleandtheirwork
Givepeoplewhattheyneed,notwhattheywant
Balancerespectforindividualswithtaskrequirements
Carewithdetachmentwhentoughdecisionsareneeded
Pushpeopletobethebesttheycanbe
Showauthenticcarebeyondjustplayingarole
EmpathyIndicators:Peopleknowyougenuinelycarewhilerespectingyourhighstandards. Yourteamunderstandsthatyourtoughdecisionscomefromaplaceofcaringabouttheirgrowth andsuccess.
BeyondSoftEmpathy
Traditionalempathyfocusesonmakingpeoplecomfortableandhappy.Toughempathyfocuses onmakingpeoplecapableandsuccessful.Itmeanshavingthedifficultconversationabout performance,reassigningsomeonetoarolewheretheycansucceed,orpushingahighperformer beyondtheircomfortzone.
Thisapproachbuildsstrongerteamsbecausepeoplesensethegenuinecarebehindchallenging decisions.Theyunderstandthatyourstandardsreflectyourinvestmentintheirpotential,not indifferencetotheirexperience.
YourEmpathyStyle
Howdoyoubalancecaringforpeoplewithchallengingthemtogrow?Wheremightyouneedto betougherinserviceofpeople'sdevelopment?Howcanyoucommunicatecarewhile maintaininghighstandards?
Quality4:DaretoBeDifferent
CapitalizeonWhat'sUniquetoSignalSeparatenessandInspirePerformance
Authenticleadersunderstandthatbeinginspirationalrequiresbeingmemorableandbeing memorablerequiresembracingwhatmakesyoudifferent.
ThePowerofDistinctiveLeadership
Developdistinctivedressstyleorphysicalappearance
Distinguishthroughimagination,loyalty,orexpertise
Communicatewhat'suniqueaboutyourselfclearly
Usedifferencestomaintainappropriatesocialdistance
Signalseparatenesswhiledrawingfollowersclose
Avoidoverdifferentiationthatlosesconnection
DifferenceIndicators:Peoplearemotivatedbyyouruniquenesswithoutfeelingalienated.Your distinctivequalitiesenhanceratherthandiminishyourabilitytoconnectandinspire.
TheBalanceofSeparationandConnection
Effectiveleadersmaintainadelicatebalancetheymustbesimilarenoughtoberelatableyet differentenoughtobeinspiring.Theiruniquenesssignalsthattheybringsomethingspecialto theleadershiprolewhileremainingapproachableandauthentic.
Thismightmanifestthroughdistinctivecommunicationstyles,uniqueperspectivesonindustry challenges,memorablepersonalstories,orevensomethingassimpleasasignatureapproachto teammeetings.Thekeyisthatthesedifferencesfeelgenuineratherthanmanufactured.
YourUniqueLeadershipSignature
Whatmakesyouuniqueasaleader?Howdoyoucurrentlyexpressyourdifferences?What distinctivequalitiescouldyoubettercapitalizeontoinspireandmotivateothers?Howcanyou maintainauthenticitywhilestandingout?
YourAuthenticLeadershipAssessment
Goal:Assessyourcurrentlevelofauthenticleadershipacrossthefouressentialqualitiesand identifyspecificareasfordevelopmenttoincreaseyourinspirationalimpact.
RevealingWeaknessesAssessment----CircletheNumberThatReflectsYou
Istrategicallyshareappropriatevulnerabilitiestobuildtrustwithmyteam
1Never
2Rarely 3Sometimes 4Frequent 5VeryStrong
Peopleseemeasapproachableandhumanratherthanperfect
1Never
2Rarely 3Sometimes 4Frequent
5VeryStrong
SituationSensingAssessment
Iaccuratelyreadsubtlecuesandsenseunderlyingcurrentsinmyorganizationandteam
1Never
2Rarely 3Sometimes 4Frequent
5VeryStrong
Icangaugeunexpressedfeelingsandjudgerelationshipqualityaccurately
1Never
2Rarely
3Sometimes 4Frequent
5VeryStrong
ToughEmpathyAssessment
Icareintenselyaboutmypeoplewhilegivingthemwhattheyneedtoexcel
1Never
2Rarely
3Sometimes
4Frequent
5VeryStrong
Icanmaketoughdecisionswhilemaintainingpeople'scommitmentandtrust
1Never 2Rarely
3Sometimes
4Frequent
5VeryStrong
DaringtoBeDifferentAssessment
Icapitalizeonwhat'suniqueaboutmyselftoinspireandmotivateothers
1Never 2Rarely 3Sometimes 4Frequent
5VeryStrong
Imaintainappropriateseparatenesswhileremainingconnectedtomyfollowers
1Never
2Rarely
3Sometimes
4Frequent
5VeryStrong
YourAuthenticLeadershipDevelopmentPlan
FromPositiontoInspiration:YourAuthenticityJourney
Younowunderstandthefouressentialqualitiesthatseparatepositionalauthorityfrom inspirationalleadership.Buildingauthenticleadershiprequiresintegratingthesequalitiesinto yourpersonalityandadaptingthemskillfullytodifferentcontextsandchallenges.
YourAuthenticityCommitment
Authenticleadershipisn'taboutbeingperfectit'saboutbeingyourself,butwithmoreskill.The goalistocapturehearts,minds,andsoulsbyrevealingyourhumanitywhilemaintainingthe differencesthatinspireotherstoperformattheirbest.
YourLeadershipStrengths
Whichqualityreceivedthehighestscores?Howdothesestrengthscurrentlyshowupinyour leadership?Whatevidencedoyouhavethatpeoplewanttobeledbyyou?
YourDevelopmentOpportunities
Whichqualityneedsthemostattention?Whatspecificbehaviorswoulddemonstrategrowthin thisarea?Howwoulddevelopingthisqualitychangeyourleadershipimpact?
YourUniqueLeadershipSignature
Whatmakesyouuniqueasaleader?Howdoyoucurrentlyexpressyourdifferences?What distinctivequalitiescouldyoubettercapitalizeontoinspireothers?
Your90-DayAuthenticLeadershipDevelopmentPlan
Days1-30:VulnerabilityandSensingFoundation
Focusonstrategicvulnerabilityandsituationsensing.Howwillyoupracticerevealing appropriateweaknesses?Whatsystemswillyoucreatetogatherandinterpretsoftdata?How willyouvalidateyourperceptions?
Days31-60:EmpathyandCareIntegration
Developtoughempathyskillsanddeepenauthenticcare.Howwillyoubalancecaringwith necessarydetachment?Whatpracticeswillhelpyougivepeoplewhattheyneedratherthanwhat theywant?
Days61-90:DifferenceDevelopmentandIntegration
Capitalizeonyouruniquedifferenceswhileintegratingallfourqualities.Whatmakesyou distinctiveasaleader?Howwillyoumaintainappropriateseparatenesswhilestayingconnected? Howwillyouintegrateallfourqualitiesskillfully?
YourOngoingAuthenticPractice
YourLeadershipSignature
Howwillyoucombinethesefourqualitiestocreateyouruniqueleadershipstyle?Whatwillbe yourdistinctiveapproachtoeachquality?Howwillyouadaptyourstyletodifferentcontexts whileremainingauthentic?
DefineYourIntegratedLeadershipSignature
YourSuccessMetrics
Howwillyoumeasureprogressinauthenticleadership?Whatfeedbackwillindicatethatpeople wanttobeledbyyou?Howwillyoutrackyourabilitytocapturehearts,minds,andsouls?
EstablishYourAuthenticLeadershipSuccessMetrics
ContinuousDevelopment:Authenticleadershipisnotadestinationbutapractice.Thefour qualitiesmustbecomepartofyourpersonality,notmechanicalbehaviors.Rememberthatthere isnouniversalformulayoumustfindyourownwaytobeyourself,butwithmoreskill.
TheResultsAreOftenSubtleButProfound
Theimpactofauthenticleadershipoftenmanifestsinwaysthatarehardtoquantifybut impossibletoignore.Teamsbecomemoreengaged,innovationincreases,andpeoplegenuinely wanttocontributetothevisionyou'vesetforth.
Yourcommitmenttoauthenticleadershipwilltransformyoufromsomeonewhoholdsaposition tosomeonepeoplegenuinelywanttofollowandbeinspiredby!
CardinalPointNudge:
Authenticleadershipbeginswiththecouragetobeyourselfwhiledevelopingtheskilltoinspire others.Thequestionisn'twhetheryouhavealeadershippositionit'swhetherpeopletrulywant tobeledbyyou.
ScheduleYourAuthenticLeadershipCoachingSession
Readytodevelopyourauthenticleadershippresence?
BringyourdiscoveriesfromthisworkbooktoacoachingsessionwithChris.Let'sdiscuss:
Yourassessmentresultsanddevelopmentpriorities
Howtostrategicallyrevealvulnerabilitiesthatbuildtrust
Developingyoursituationsensingandsoftdatainterpretationskills
Balancingtoughempathywithgenuinecare
Capitalizingonyouruniquedifferencestoinspireothers
Creatingyourintegratedleadershipsignature
Scheduleyoursessionhere: https://calendly.com/chrispoyzer/cardinal-point-leadership-session
Transformfrompositionalauthoritytoinspirationalinfluencethroughauthenticleadership developmentthatcaptureshearts,minds,andsouls.
AbouttheFramework
FrameworkSource:"WhyShouldAnyoneBeLedbyYou?"byRobertGoffeeandGarethJones HarvardBusinessReview,September-October2000|HBR'sTop10Must-ReadsonLeadership
AdaptedforleadershipdevelopmentbyCardinalPointLeadership
AbouttheAuthor
ChrisPoyzer,MSW Executive&LeadershipCoach CardinalPointLeadership
Chrisspecializesinhelpingleadersdevelopauthenticpresenceandinspirationalinfluence throughresearch-basedleadershipdevelopmentapproachesthatcreategenuineconnectionand sustainableresults.
