Are You Authentic?

Every once in a while, I like to revisit an overplayed subject.

Terms like “Leverage, Optimize, or Synergize” have become so overplayed that they’ve almost lost their meaning. So, now and then, I like to explore one of these buzzwords because I see it as an opportunity to make it fresh again.

After all, something only becomes overplayed because it has so much relevance that everyone wants to talk about it.

So, let’s talk about Authenticity. If you look up the word’s original meaning, it’s made up of the Latin roots Autos, which means self, and Hentes, which means “to do or to be.”

So, authenticity basically means “being yourself.” Sounds pretty cut and dry, right? Just be yourself. Great. Done.

But here’s the thing. Being your “Self” requires knowing your “Self,” which is a very different journey. At the same time, it’s one of the most critical aspects of what it means to be a powerful leader in the modern era.

I have witnessed certain leaders living from a truly authentic place, and it can be an extraordinary thing to experience.

What stands out to me is that when authentic leaders speak, people remain calm because they can feel that they are coming from a genuine place. They make choices based on their personal values, and people feel respect for that. They are vulnerable and transparent about their experience and willing to stand in their own discomfort. This opens people’s hearts, and their teams tend to be fiercely loyal and devoted because they admire the courage it takes to stand in one’s authentic truth.

This also goes far beyond work because it impacts a leader's relationships, health, and connection with the world around them.

In a sense choosing to be an authentic leader is one of the highest paths a human can take. We are all leaders in our lives in some way. Yes, you are a leader. It’s a brave path to walk, but what are the alternatives?