This article originally appeared in the January 2022 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
The question of what makes a good leader is a focal point in our industry as we continue to grapple with the demand for next-generation talent. There are many essential characteristics needed to truly be an effective manager, but one I believe to be the most imperative is authenticity.
Is it possible to set the direction and vision for your team or company but also be seen as a trusted and respected leader? Yes, if you are authentic to yourself and seen as authentic by those you are leading.
One of my all-time, favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs, founder, and former CEO of Apple. He summed up so succinctly why being an authentic person is so critical: "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
5 Keys to Authenticity
At the end of the week, month or year – even at the end of your career – what mark will you leave? Do you want to be remembered by the business milestones you accomplished? By the way you treated others? By the way you encouraged others to be true to themselves?
Ask yourself these questions often, and if you are lucky, you will be able to answer all of them and more in the positive way. Through example and practice, you can learn how to thrive through authenticity. Here are five keys to achieving it:
1. Know who you are. Have the self-awareness to truly understand who you are and what you believe. Then be true to those interpersonal beliefs. Be authentic. Live your life – not the life that you think people around you want you to live.
2. Identify what’s important to you. Understand the positive values you espouse, and then find ways to weave those beliefs into your work life and team.
3. Show your true, transparent self to those around you. Once you are really in touch with your internal value set, do not be afraid to articulate your beliefs. Have a commitment to your values, then lead with passion and positivity for your team and company.
4. Accept authenticity from those around you. It is not only important to show your authenticity as a leader, it is also important to ask your team for transparency. One of the most critical facets of leading and managing is to encourage trust and open, honest dialog. Ask for second opinions, seek alternate outcomes from your peers and employees.
This is not to show weakness or the inability to make decisions – this is to help create the culture of inclusivity that drives everyone to feel valued. This helps to grow diversity of thought and inspires those around you to feel that they are a significant part of your team. You simply cannot overlook the importance of inclusivity and allowing others to also be authentic to themselves and their beliefs. Group-think and group-speak has a tendency to be corrosive to any group or company.
5. Have the courage to follow your heart. As Steve Jobs stated so well, everything else is secondary. Dare to dream big and then follow your intuition. Encourage the important people in your orbit to also dream freely and openly.
Ric McCullough is president of PSA Security Network. Request more info about PSA at www.securityinfowatch.com/10214742.
