3 Ways to Be a More Authentic Leader

Leaning into our authenticity and story will always be enough — and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be our greatest asset.

February 10, 2022

As servant leaders and positive difference-makers, we have a responsibility to pour into others each day with sympathy, empathy and compassion. 

But doing this is next to impossible if our own tank is on empty. To lead others, we must also cultivate moments each day for ourselves, our own growth, and our own discoveries.

In The Four Agreements, author Don Miguel Ruiz writes:

“To be alive is the biggest fear humans have. Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive — the risk to be alive and express what we really are. Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of humans. We have learned to live our lives trying to satisfy other people’s demands. We have learned to live by other people’s points of view because of the fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else.”

We should constantly strive to question and unlearn, while teaching ourselves new methods to be more effective and influential.

Leaning into our authenticity and story will always be enough — and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be our greatest asset. Here are three strategies to bring more individual authenticity to our leadership worlds:

  1. Remain Mindfully Present: Being present with ourselves is vital to authenticity. If we are constantly distracted by our mental chatter, technology or reacting to external situations, we become unaware of our breath and own state of being.

  2. Take Daily Action Toward Authenticity: Authenticity can feel like a big, scary, abstract concept. Yet, when we explore living and leading more authentically, it comes down to our day-to-day actions. Focusing on planning and prioritizing daily tasks that make us feel most aligned with our truth becomes a crucial first step.

  3. Recognize Internal Versus External Influences: When we take the time to distinguish between internal and external motivators, we can improve our decision-making with greater intention, clarity, and connection.

As we inspire, invest and pour into others today, let’s remember to also share some of that love with ourselves.

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