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 We are pausing publication of The Daily Briefing out of respect for the tragic passing of Brian Thompson. We will resume publication of this daily newsletter in the coming days.

Expert Insight

3 ways to bring your true self to work and inspire others

Authenticity is the key to effective leadership, but it can be challenging to be true to yourself in a professional world that often seems to demand conformity. Learn three powerful ways to lead authentically and inspire others to do the same.
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Many leaders believe they must conform to a specific leadership style. They're taught the only way to succeed is to exhibit traits like confidence, assertiveness, decisiveness, and straightforwardness. Leadership models often focus on only a small group of people, which can make it seem like we have to be a certain way to succeed. When there isn't much diversity in top positions within organizations, people often feel like they have to fit into a specific mold to move forward. This pressure can compel leaders to adopt a specific persona to be successful in their professional lives.

However, when we do not lead as our authentic selves, following our own values and strengths, we risk burnout. Instead of trying to fit into society's idea of leadership, we need to find ways to be our authentic selves as leaders, even when there isn't a clear model to follow.

Check out the scenario below with three leadership moves.

Scenario: We received a question from a life sciences leader who feels pressure to conform to a specific leadership style.

The leader wrote, “I recently started a new job at a company that is known for its fast paced, aggressive, and results-driven culture. To succeed, one is expected to be assertive, decisive, and confident. I have noticed that I, along with some members of my team, often do not feel heard and are not recognized for the work we do. I like the work I do, but lately I’ve been unmotivated and become quieter in meetings. This has started to impact my performance, and others have started to notice. What can I do to bring my full self to work in this environment? And how can I help my team do the same?"

Below are three leadership moves that can be used to embrace authenticity as a leader.

1: Reflect on your values

Identify your personal values and use them as a compass in your leadership style. In Advisory Board Fellowship, we discuss the competency of “courageous authenticity,” which means being willing to say the hard things and being trusted by your team to do so. To be courageously authentic and use your values as a guide, ask yourself:

  • What do you stand for as a leader?
  • Where are you willing — and not willing — to compromise? Your organization has values, but it's crucial for you to define your own values and communicate them to your team.
  • How are you living out these values? Are you consistently keeping those values in mind?
  • Are there values that you could be emphasizing more? If you're not emphasizing these values, why not?

2: Determine your strengths

Knowing how to lead from a place of strength not only improves your life — it also boosts your engagement at work. There are many ways to discover and learn your strengths. One tool is the CliftonStrengths, which Advisory Board Fellowship enrollees take to learn about their strengths and better understand how to apply their learnings. Understanding your strengths can help you unleash your full potential. Ask yourself:

  • What characteristics and strengths do you bring to your team? How can you explain the unique value you bring?
  • Are you someone who easily wins people over? Try being intentional about spending a few minutes at the opening of each conversation for casual discussion.
  • Do you build trusting relationships that motivate others to work with you? Does this make it easier to inspire people to tackle difficult tasks?
  • Do you thoroughly assess a problem from all angles before making critical decisions? Does your team trust you to do so?

Think about four or five strengths that your team values about your leadership.

3: Claiming your strengths as your own

Understanding your strengths is essential, but it's equally important to harness their power and consistently leverage them. This enables your team to not only recognize and appreciate your personal brand but also strengthen it over time. Reflect on what success means to you, as societal beliefs and personal identities can often cloud or influence our vision of success. To lead from a place that aligns with your values, you may need to let go of some existing beliefs.

By understanding and using your strengths, and challenging preconceived notions of success, you can lead authentically and make a meaningful impact.

Consider the following questions:

  • What existing beliefs about leadership have you learned from society or a prior leader?
  • Are there specific leadership qualities that drain you or feel inauthentic?
  • What qualities and values do you want to embody as a leader that differ from societal norms?

Advisory Board Fellowship

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