At the end of September in the US, I don’t think I met anyone who did not use the word “authentic” in some way. “Authentic” was coupled with loads of words – “authentic leaders”, “authentic brands”, “authentic messages”, “authentic ideas”… It raises the question of what purpose “authentic” serves in such pairings. And more than this, other new words seem to be slipping in around it too. Words like “appear” and “create”. Yet it is very seldom that “reveal” gets in there.
The objective seems to be how to appear to be authentic. The view is that we should accept that authentic is an illusion - but an important illusion which needs to be created. And this in the context that we are addressing an audience, whether they are customers, stakeholders or citizens, that has largely lost the ability to discern what is authentic anyway. Given that we are often presented with leaders who claim that one identity after the next is the really authentic one, it’s not surprising that we begin to lose our ability to discern the real one.
As one new authentic version appears, no-one seems to spot that its very presence puts in doubt the previous authentic version (and indeed this one too). When the leader cries, is he or she authentic? Is authenticity only revealed in the toughest of times, when a leader gets into a fight, a real scrap?
Then the other word that slips in near to authentic is “moments”, and that’s the finale. Is authenticity revealed in moments, or is it in fact unveiled over time and over a period that the moments have little impact on? Except very occasionally to dramatically destroy it in one stroke!
Thanks Julia…
I guess being “authentic” is a very personal epiphania.. I can only say if i am “authentic”, true to what i think i believe and as with beliefs and values, that authenticity is tested every minute of my life or in conversation with others. Authenticity, would be to ask myself at frequent intervals, am i true to who i think i am… Am I original, genuine, unique… In essence, noone else but me can tell i am authentic. The minute someone declares some”thing” else or some”one” else authentic, it becomes an illusion…
By: Servane Mouazan on 6 November 2008
at 1:34 pm
Great questions to open debate!
My two cents:
I don’t believe you can get away from the role perception plays in leadership. If I am leading myself then my own perception of my authenticity is important. If I am leading others, then their perception of my authenticity becomes important. Leading others does include the interaction between us, with all the psychological and social processes this brings!
Two people’s perceptions of me might be quite different. Good. This means I’m not just a cardboard cutout. The differences in their perceptions can just reflect the aspects of myself I have revealed to each them. This does not mean I have been inauthentic or not shown the real me in either interaction. It simply means that I am more than one dimensionsal, I have different aspects to me that I can reveal to different people. It means I’m a real human being. To believe that there is a “real one” I think misses the point and is just unhelpful.
With regards to ‘moments’ or ‘revealed over time’ – I’m not sure I see these as being mutually exclusive.
What do others think?
By: R Jappy on 4 December 2008
at 2:42 pm
Being authentic is at the heart of leadership. I first become aware of who I am…the good, the bad, and the ugly. From there I can choose with intention. I may realize that my gifts and passion currently involve impacting groups effectiveness to have “real” conversations with each other. I may also realize that I personally find conflict difficult under certian circumstances. I avoid, for example putting an issue out on the table with certian individuals. I have awareness and I am convicted to work to beocme more effective myself. As I practice becoming congruent with what I believe and value, and with my actions and responses, I become more vulnerable and transparent. I still do not put all issues out on the table…but I am honest that this is the case. I am authentic in the moment and evolving my authenticity. I am meeting the environment with less trappings.
By: Deb Siverson on 30 March 2009
at 3:10 pm
Like you, I too am very embarassed by the abuse of the word ‘authenticity’. As someone coming from a very ancient culture of respect (Jain), this is deep in my own psyche and values – it is almost a natural act, something which I see among many community members, especially the elders. Perhaps it is time for leaders from ancient cultures to come out in the open and share their visions and formulae of leadership. They are likely to be at least as authentic. When the V&A museum recently filmed me on my approach to leadership, we decided to locate this inside a Jain temple – why not?
By: Atul Shah on 17 April 2009
at 9:58 am