Authenticity is the new leadership currency

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In a world with a constant information deluge and a labyrinth of disinformation to continually navigate through, people are exhausted.  

What is true? Who is honest? Who and what can I believe? Who can I trust to lead in a way where I know they understand what I need? Will anyone do what is best for me?  

It is no wonder that people are frustrated with those in charge—everywhere. Politicians, media personalities, business leaders. Our leaders are often out-of-touch elites, or worse, reckless liars. By and large, leaders seem self-interested rather than keeping the needs of those they serve at heart.  

Compound this with a sound bite society where click bait reigns supreme and memes are a surrogate for journalism, but without the research, context, or analysis. No one can tell person from bot on social media anymore. And people’s worst behaviors lead to the highest monetization on those platforms. It’s no wonder people are fed up.  

Desperate for authenticity 

All of this is resulting in anger from older generations and disillusionment among younger ones, causing both apathy and a lack of motivation to work toward something better, as it all feels hopeless. But emerging generations’ futures are threatened as they inherit the fallout from generations of selfish, inauthentic leadership, and are left with only dire economic prospects, unsteady liberties, and a planet literally on fire. Adding insult to injury, they are now asked to try to survive it all and to fix it themselves when leaders haven’t been or aren’t interested in doing so themselves.

Amid all of this, people are desperate for leaders who are authentic. Leaders who face the hard truths. Leaders who understand the reality of the people they serve. And most importantly, leaders who deliver results for the actual humans they are leading. 

People are drawn to leaders who “get it” and who “tell it like it is” regardless of whether their intentions are altruistic or nefarious, evidence that authenticity is what people crave most right now.  

What makes an authentic leader? 

So what are some key elements seen in authentic leaders? 

• Give a damn about those you lead. Genuinely. Deeply reflect on your intentions. If you don’t actually care, your people will know it. 

• Understand that leadership is a responsibility. A privilege given to a few. A great leader is a servant.  

• Listen to those you lead to hear things spoken and unspoken. Build structures to make sure you have eyes and ears everywhere to get to your team’s truths and feelings.  

• Understand that others rely on you and that you can do nothing without a team of engaged, productive individuals.  

• Admit when you are wrong or when you don’t know things. Everyone else will know anyway and not admitting it just looks foolish and stubborn.  

• Overcommunicate to ensure your team knows your intentions, your actions, your decision making. Speak candidly, openly, and transparently. Trust is built on understanding.  

• Make the best, well-informed decisions considering the needs of everyone. Deliver.  

• Rinse and repeat ad infinitum.  

This all feels so obvious. So why is it so rare?  

Because it takes far more work and sacrifice than not doing it. First, it all takes time, and sometimes money, which I believe many leaders feel is wasted on this soft capital. And it requires competencies that are not often valued, and sometimes demonized, in our strong-man leader archetype. 

Listening requires EMPATHY.  

Collecting feedback requires HUMILITY.  

Open communication requires THOUGHTFULNESS.  

Making the best, well-informed decisions requires INTEGRITY.  

Admitting mistakes and learning from them requires VULNERABILITY. 

Transparency empowers others to act and therefore requires TRUST.  

Results for your employees are your own ACCOUNTABILITY.  

And while my hope is that leaders will be driven to be authentic because they truly give a damn about people around them, I know that many leaders care most about the business value of their decisions.  

What’s at stake? 

What is the cost of lacking authenticity?  

LOST PRODUCTIVITY due to low employee trust and engagement.  

LOST MOMENTUM due to turnover and attrition.  

LOST GROWTH due to shallow candidate pipelines as employees seek out authentic leaders.  

LOST EFFICIENCY due to not developing team members to deliver and respond.  

LOST FAITH in our social contract, the most expensive of them all.  

Regardless of the motivations, authentic leaders are in demand and ultimately, the only leaders who will achieve success with the current workforce’s state of mind. 

Investing in this soft capital will pay dividends, financially and socially. And frankly, none of us, individually or collectively, can afford not to.  

Julee Brooks is CEO of Woodcraft Rangers.