What are the Top Authentic Leadership Characteristics?

Authentic leadership is based on the principle that leaders can prove their legitimacy by cultivating sincere relationships with their subordinates and valuing their opinions.

They acknowledge their subordinates’ support in the success of the organization as well as their own. Their leadership style promotes both individual and team performance.

Read on to find out if you possess the qualities of an authentic leader.

1. Self-awareness

To be an authentic leader, one must reflect upon all the actions and decisions of the leader and examine their strengths and weaknesses without bias. Then, they must overcome their fears and use their strengths to the fullest.

2. Lead with heart

True leaders are full of heart. They do not shy away from the hard work, and they lead their teams with empathy and courage that only comes from listening to the core.

3. Focus on long-term results

Authentic leaders do not waste their time worrying about temporary setbacks or less than stellar results in the previous quarter. Instead, their focus is always long-term. They recognize that patience and effort will yield good results in the long run.

4. Integrity

People respect authentic leaders because they don’t say things they don’t mean. They are trustworthy because they keep their word, no matter what.

5. Lead with vision

Authentic leaders always add value to people they interact with and help them achieve higher levels of professional success, leading to better personal lives. They continuously aim for excellence and push others to do the same.

6. Listening skills

Genuine leaders are always good listeners, even when their beliefs conflict with others’. They are even willing to consider those ideas with an open mind and change their minds if the arguments are convincing.

7. Transparency

Authentic leaders are direct and combine their directness with the Authentic Leadership Book to bring about success. Despite what they project in public, they are essentially the same in private. They are not afraid to admit their mistakes and flaws and don’t hide their authentic selves.

8. Consistency

Another characteristic of authentic leaders is their consistency. They aren’t fickle and stick to the principles outlined in the Agile Leadership Book. They are not influenced by superficiality, and their behavior is consistent.

9. Share success with the team

One of the things that set an authentic leader apart from other leaders is that they build great teams, but they give credit where it is due and share success and achievements.

10. Drawing on experience

Their stellar Agile Leadership Book skills slowly emerged from their experiences in the real world. Life experiences are the best teachers, and these leaders draw on lessons from their personal experiences.