Aligning Values and Actions for Authentic Leadership

Aligning Values and Actions for Authentic Leadership

Authentic leadership is not only being a person in a position of authority; it indicates a set of values and beliefs that direct your actions and influence the newcomers to believe.

Connecting leadership and authenticity at its center are the matching values and actions, in other words, the harmony between the words and deeds of a leader. 

Let’s analyze the notion of leadership identity and approve cases of real leaders who were following their concerns and acting with authentic leadership.

Defining Leadership Identity

The idea of leadership identity embraces the set of values and philosophies that determine the attributes of a leader’s character and guide the leader’s conduct.

Authentic leaders fully appreciate the fact that the convergence of their values with their behavior supposedly showcases the leader as an honest, transparent and consistent individual all in one. 

A clear spot of the actions of this type is displayed by Warren Buffett, the greatest investor and CEO of the company Berkshire Hathaway.

Buffett’s leadership identity revolves around his undying loyalty, humility, and overall respectability as well as long-term thinking. 

Buffett’s efficacy is owed to his alignment of his investment decisions with his values and practice of his principles which have resulted in the trust and esteem of investors from all over the globe.

Leading with Integrity

True leaders lead with integrity where their actions align with values, and what they do is accountable to the highest ethical standards.

One of the real-world evidence is given by Alan Mulally who was a CEO previously at Ford Motor Company. 

Mulally developed from the stagnant bankruptcy state of the company and implemented a new culture that was based on transparency, open teamwork and responsibility. 

Through the first and the second competencies- recognizing problems and empowering the team- Mulally gained the respect and loyalty of the team members, stockholders, as well as customers.

Vulnerability and Authenticity

Real leaders engage in embracing vulnerability and authenticity, seeing that the human side can also be shown. A wonderful instance of it is Brené Brown, a research professor and an excellent author on the concepts of vulnerability, courage and shame. 

Leadership of Brown authenticity, empathy, and courage are mainly found.

Brown speaks in her TED talks, books, and workshops of her struggles and weaknesses, leaving them again with a motivational, work toward authenticity to the fore. 

Demonstrating vulnerability is of paramount importance for Brown because it paves the road for connection and trust, which encourages individuals to be genuine whether they are in personal or professional areas.

Empowering Others to Live Their Values

Real leaders are not just those who want to achieve their own goals but also those who equip their team to live their values and join the community, consequently creating a culture of truth and responsibility.

What Schultz, a former CEO of Starbucks, demonstrated is one of the most important concepts in such leadership. 

Schultz’s leadership personality is in essence the embodiment of these values such as compassion and inclusion, among others.

Inequality between workers is a major problem, but under his leadership, Starbucks became a global leader in corporate social responsibility, and it pioneered initiatives such as fair trade coffee, ethical sourcing and employee benefits. 

Through providing employees the opportunity to manifest these values in their everyday interactions with customers and communities, Schultz constructed a culture of goal-oriented leadership that sees immersion beyond the boardroom.

Driving Change with Conviction and Courage

True leaders execute the plan with devotion and courage, where they are brave enough to stand for their convictions and encourage others to have the same passion.

A remarkable illustration of this is shown by that of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education whose age is the youngest among all the laureates of the Nobel Prize. 

Malala’s leadership identity rests based on courage, steadfastness, and an undeterred passion for justice.

Even if she meets with threats to her life and security, Malala still oversees the advocacy for female education and human rights on a global scale. 

Through her boldness to appeal to authority and the indomitable spirit to keep mute, Malala affects millions of individuals to build their convictions, and as a result, they may be able to bring about positive change in their localities.

Creating a Legacy of Impact and Influence

Real leaders shape a lasting impression on their organization and the entire world long after they are no longer in their position.

A poignant example of this is highlighted where Mahatma Gandhi, a well-known freedom fighter of India, is concerned. 

Gandhi’s leadership id was rooted in concepts of nonviolence, truth, and selflessness. Through his civil disobedience and moral leadership, Gandhi who was the man who inspired a nation to uprising against colonial rule was ultimately the step that made India independent. 

In showing his beliefs and serving as an example, Gandhi set a remarkable legacy of peace, justice and freedom which Gandhi still inspires all leaders in the world

Conclusion

Leadership identity is not something fixed. It is dynamic. Over time, leaders go on to acquire experience learn new things, and ultimately adapt to the changing environment around them.

Leader-by-heart they believe the key to successful leadership lies in their positive values, and good behavior, but not without integrity, openness, and courageous initiatives. 

Through the integration of values and action, leaders can instill in others the urge to lead genuine lives, influence what goes well and enable a more desirable world for future generations.

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