Authentic Leadership in the Workplace

The journey toward authenticity begins with a deep dive into self-awareness in leadership. This isn't about striving for perfection. As Erik Gill asked Ellis, what are the strategies for someone who is struggling to understand the leader they are? His answer was clear: you must first understand your "natural wiring."

Ellis explained, “Every human being is unique…Some people are extroverted, outgoing, and people person, and some people are introverted and they're both very valuable.” He emphasized that whether you're a CEO or a team lead, you can succeed regardless of your innate personality. The key lies in understanding your talents and being willing to adapt.

This concept highlights a critical duality of leadership skills: the need to be both confident and humble. Authentic leaders are confident in their abilities and decisions, but they are also humble enough to admit they don’t have all the answers.  

Ellis advocates for seeking input from your team, asking questions like, "what do you think about this?" This practice not only provides you with valuable information but also demonstrates to your team that you value their perspectives. As Milena Barone noted, this balance can be tricky, but it's essential. The humility to ask for help prevents ego from taking over and guides you toward more well-rounded decisions. This is the essence of true authentic leadership.

A common misconception is that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. However, based on our conversation with Ellis, we learned that vulnerability is, in fact, a profound form of courage. When a leader admits they don't know something or asks for help, they are showing immense bravery. This act is crucial for building trust in teams.

As Gill noted, many leaders project an image of confidence and seriousness to hide their inner insecurities. Ellis’s advice for these leaders is to “...help them believe in themselves and understand that they don't have to know it all.” When you are confident yet humble, your team will trust and support you more. As Ellis said, if you act like you know everything all the time, you break down the trust that is so vital for strong workplace relationships. This is why authentic leadership is so important.

Vulnerability also directly connects to accountability in leadership. Authentic leaders hold themselves and others accountable not out of a desire for control or power, but out of respect and care. As Gill said, accountability is one of the best forms of respect. He said it's a way of saying, "I care about you, and I want to see you be the best person you could be." This is a fundamental component of effective leadership skills.

Ellis shared a powerful story about having to hold a captain accountable for selling drugs. Despite the severity of the situation, he made it clear that he cared about the individual. The message was, "I care about you, but you're going to be responsible and held accountable." This example illustrates that you can be compassionate and caring while also being firm and upholding standards. This balance is key to fostering a healthy and productive team environment and is a core part of accountability in leadership.

Strong workplace relationships are the lifeblood of a thriving team. At the core of these relationships is communication. As Ellis’s story from his time as a prisoner of war shows, the need for communication and connection is a fundamental human drive. Even in the most dire circumstances, he and his fellow prisoners found creative ways to communicate - tapping on walls and whispering through cracks in doors - to let each other know they were connected.

In the business world, while we don't need to knock on walls, we must be creative and committed to “overcommunicating.” Effective communication in leadership goes beyond sending emails. As Ellis noted, you might need to use a phone call, a Zoom meeting, or a face-to-face conversation. The goal is to ensure your message is not just heard, but understood. Clear communication is a critical leadership skill when building trust in teams. Everything needs to be laid out in plain language to keep everyone on the same page.

Most importantly, effective communication in leadership is rooted in the understanding that people are not "data" or "tables." They are human beings with emotions and unique perspectives. Ellis emphasized that you must ask for and listen to these perspectives, admitting that you don't know everything. This act of listening shows respect and builds rapport, strengthening your workplace relationships.

Communication is how you set and clarify expectations, which is a crucial part of accountability in leadership. By clearly stating what you expect from your team and letting them know you’ll hold them responsible, you are showing that you care about their success and the team's integrity. As Ellis said, this is a healthy and appropriate practice that most people will respect. This is all part of authentic leadership.

Authentic leadership is not a one-time achievement; it’s a continuous journey of growth. A vital component of this journey is reflection. Ellis shared his personal practice of reflecting before and after meetings. He asks himself, “What did I do well? What did I do right? What [were] the mistakes I made and what [do] I need to do for follow up?”

This simple, yet powerful, act of reflection is what allows a leader to truly understand their successes and failures. It prevents them from making the same mistakes and empowers them to grow. Without reflection, we are prone to making assumptions and responding without understanding.  

As Gill noted, reflection is when things "...really set in and you're able to understand them." It helps you maintain your purpose and your authenticity, even when faced with significant challenges. Self-awareness in leadership is a continuous process that is supported by reflection.

Authentic leadership is built on a foundation of self-awareness, courage, and vulnerability. It is sustained through effective communication, which promotes strong workplace relationships and is reinforced by a commitment to accountability. These are the core leadership skills that make a difference. By choosing to lead with honor and authenticity, you inspire trust, promote resilience, and ultimately find your own purpose as a leader.

At PCS, we believe that every great organization is built on a foundation of strong, authentic leadership. We are dedicated to helping leaders cultivate the essential skills and mindset needed to aid in trust and achieve lasting results. We champion a new standard of leadership. One that is built on honesty, vulnerability, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of both the individual and the team.