Elements of Veracious Leadership
There are Five Elements that are crucial to building the essential to create a veracious leader.
Know Yourself
Socrates said; “Know thyself,” a foundational building block of western civilization. If we want to be more effective with others, we first need to become more effective with ourselves. Instead of focusing on finding the right partner (in business or friendships) seek to be the right partner. Commit to authentically getting to know your total self. Practice being what you wish others to become.
Empathetic Listening
Listening authentically is centered in the principle of psychological reciprocity: to influence others, we must first be open to their influence. Authentic listening is about being generous—listening with a giving attitude that seeks to bring forth the contribution in someone, versus listening with our limiting assessments, opinions and judgments. Authentic listening is about being open to the purpose and learning coming to us through the other person. Authentic listening is the soul of synergy.
Crystal Clear Vision
Authentic expression is the true voice of the leader. We speak from our character and it creates trust, synergy and connection with everyone around us. Authentic expression is not about refining our presentation style—it’s deeper than that. Some of the most authentic leaders I know stumble around a bit in their delivery, but the words come right from their hearts and experience. You feel their conviction and the integral connection of who they are and what they say. Expressing authentically is about straight talk that creates value. It’s about sharing your real thoughts and feelings in a manner that opens up possibilities.
Appreciate Truth and Honesty
As leaders we tend to do too much and appreciate too little.” Appreciation is one type of self-expression that creates value. It energizes people and makes people want to exceed their goals and perceived limits. Criticism, on the other hand, may get short-term results but usually doesn’t add long-term value. What it does add is fear and insecurity.
Servant Leader
Ultimately, a leader is not judged by how well he or she leads, but by how well he or she serves. We serve our organization. We serve our people. We serve our customers. We serve our marketplace. We serve our community. We serve our family. We serve our relationships.
As leaders, when we move from control to service, we acknowledge that we’re not the sole origin of achievement. This shift is an emotional and spiritual breakthrough. Life flows through us and we simply play our role. Our real job is to serve all the constituencies in our life and, in the process, to appreciate genuinely the fact the only through our interdependence with others do we create value.
Commit yourself to the lifelong process of authentically growing as a person in order to grow as a leader. Leaders who stay connected to each of these five touchstones of authenticity not only enhance their own effectiveness as leaders, but improve all aspects of their lives