Why is authenticity such a valuable quality at work?
Authenticity has become a buzz word for the 21st century, with everything from authentic food to authentic holidays, and over 5,000 books appearing on Amazon’s ‘authenticity books’ list. The term ‘authentic leadership’ emerged in the 1960s, calling for leaders to develop their self-identity and be true to their values as a way of engaging followers and increasing individual and team performance.
So what are the benefits of being an authentic leader today, how does authenticity contribute to gravitas, and how can you develop authenticity in a working environment where the norm may be to conform?
In a world governed by social media, where people create virtual identities that are an exaggeratedly polished version of themselves and post updates of impossibly perfect lives, it is refreshing to come across people who are unashamedly real. We are drawn to them because of their fallibilities and warmed by their honesty.
When it comes to leading with gravitas, being authentic has a number of advantages.
- Allowing your real personality to be seen, particularly when steered by a clear purpose and values, will give you a groundedness and weight which will directly contribute to your gravitas.
- You will become less guarded, free to react spontaneously and express your views, without second-guessing whether you are saying the ‘right’ thing.
- When you ‘show up’ as your authentic self, people will be more open to what you have to say, whether they agree with you or not. You will experience a natural connection and build rapport more easily and quickly.
- Your willingness to reveal your inner personality will give others permission to do the same, leading to a more honest and open environment that everyone will want to be part of.
- People will feel comfortable and safe in your presence. They will listen, respect and follow where you go.
By bringing your ‘whole’ self to work, you will have access to a wider range of insights, perspectives and communication styles than if you simply relied on your ‘work self’. This will make you more open to inspiration, leading to greater creativity and a wider spectrum of solutions.
How to develop your authentic communication style
If you are looking to reveal more of your authentic self as a route to gravitas, the first step is understanding what the term means to you and how you would like it to come across in your leadership style. You can then explore the practical steps you can take to make this happen.
Although ‘learning’ how to communicate authentically might sound counterintuitive, many of my clients have found it valuable to work on their mindset, choice of words and non-verbal communication style as a route to authentic communication.
Mindset
Your state of mind will directly influence how you come across. If you are feeling flustered, uncomfortable or distracted, you will be less likely to convey your best authentic self than if you are feeling calm, confident and well prepared. As Ingrid Bergman said: ‘Be yourself. The world worships the original’ and you should take time to remind yourself of the unique qualities that got you to where you are today.
Create a series of statements that reinforce your right to be yourself, a pep-talk that celebrates the authentic you. One client concocted this fabulous mantra, which she repeats whenever she is going into a challenging situation: ‘I have a right to be in this room, in this meeting, on this podium. I have an interesting and relevant point of view to share based on my unique experience of life. Just as I am fascinated by other peoples’ views, so they will be drawn to my opinions, because they are based on my unshakable principles and ideals.’
Although positive reinforcement is important, it’s equally important to ensure your ego doesn’t take over entirely! In the same way that a pebble didn’t get smooth without a few knocks, people will find you more authentic if you talk about hurdles you’ve experienced along the way. To do this, identify stories which subtly reveal your imperfections, but don’t damage your credibility. Another useful technique is to focus on the other person, with your intention being ‘what can I learn from you?’ rather than ‘what can I tell you?’; ‘how can I help you?’ rather than ‘what can you do for me?’.
Word-choice
The words you choose will also go a long way to illustrate authenticity. When introducing yourself, find ways to draw together the professional and the personal ‘you’ through the stories your share. This will make you memorable and create a connection, particularly if you relate them to the other person’s experiences.
As you think about what you’re going to say, speak from the heart as well as the head. Be rational, yes, but back up your facts with gut instinct and passion. Consider also how you can harness your emotions to suit your purpose. Emotion unbridled can be alarming and even off-putting. Emotion that conveys the right tone will live long after you’ve stopped speaking. If you want your audience to feel concerned about a situation, show that concern yourself, but link it to a rational solution. If you feel passionate about a topic, show that passion yourself, but help them to understand the reasons why. Rather than the passive ‘it is thought’ or ‘some people say’, consider ‘I believe’ to relay conviction, while taking care through your tone to avoid sounding pompous or preachy. You could also try the disarmingly honest ‘I think…’ or ‘from my experience’, as long as what you say has some substance behind it.
You can also consider humour to counterbalance the strength of your message and ‘keep it real’. This shouldn’t be about cracking rude jokes, being the class clown, laughing at a colleague or being overly self-deprecating. Humour should always be delivered from a generous heart and appropriate to the prevailing culture. Although a short-hand expression of authentic feelings, swearing can be offensive to some people, so go with what feels right to you, while respecting the sensibilities of the people you’re with.
While wanting to be open, beware of over-sharing or giving so much away that you lose your authority, an integral part of gravitas. An authentic leader is different from an honest fool, who wants to be everyone’s friend, or negates their position by making excuses like ‘I’m not very good at this…’, ‘I haven’t prepared enough’ or ‘I’m not sure I made sense there’. It’s as much about what you don’t say as what you say. No one has the time or inclination to listen to a lengthy diatribe or a convoluted shaggy dog story. Pick stories that are relevant and learn when it’s time to hold your tongue to maintain your mystique.
Non-verbal communication
Your non-verbal communication will contribute just as much to your authenticity as the words you choose. Look people in the eye, hold their gaze for a couple of seconds and respond to what you see there. Some people are happy to hold eye contact, others will find it an intrusion. The fact that you initiate this level of contact will not only make you appear confident, but also help you to feel more confident too. Your eyes are the window to your soul and there is something liberating about letting people see what’s behind them.
Your body can also help you to express authenticity. An open posture, with arms wide, chest open and feet pointing subtly outwards projects a sense of pride and that you have nothing to hide. Conversely, a closed posture can indicate a lack of confidence and even a need for self-protection, as though you had something to hide.
From a branding perspective, marketing consultant Karen Campbell says: ‘My number one tip for leaders who want to communicate their authentic brand online is don’t be afraid to allow a peek behind the curtain and show the realness and mechanisms of your business and the people behind it. Your audience, especially now, want to share your business story and journey (the ups and the downs) and this real, humanistic approach is hugely valuable in gaining organic followers, fans and ambassadors.’
For more more on maximising your impact and gravitas, take a look at the Authenticity chapter of Antoinette’s book, Leading with Gravitas, or sign up for her next Gravitas Masterclass.
