Transform Your Leadership Impact!
Defining Authentic Leadership
Presence: Self-Coaching Strategies to Ignite Your Authentic Leadership
Welcome to the first edition of our Authentic Leadership newsletter! Over the next 12 months, we’ll explore key themes from my book Presence: Self-Coaching Strategies to Ignite Your Authentic Leadership by Sheila R. Carmichael.
This month, we begin with a foundational question: What does it mean to be an authentic leader? Let’s dive into what authenticity in leadership looks like and how you can cultivate it in your own journey.
Feature Article: The Core of Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership isn’t about imitating someone else’s style; it’s about leading from your unique strengths and values. True leaders inspire trust, build strong relationships, and create impact by being genuine.
The Four Pillars of Authentic Leadership:
1. Self-Awareness – Understanding your strengths, values, and motivations.
2. Integrity – Aligning your actions with your principles, even when no one is watching.
3. Empathy – Connecting with others through emotional intelligence and genuine concern.
4. Courage – Leading with confidence, making tough decisions, and standing firm in your beliefs.
When you lead authentically, people respect and trust you, fostering a culture of openness and engagement.
Success Story: How Authentic Leadership Transformed a Company Culture
When Maria, a newly promoted director at a mid-sized tech firm, took on her leadership role, she quickly realized that her team lacked trust and engagement. She faced resistance, unclear communication, and a fear-based culture that made employees hesitant to take initiative.
Instead of adopting an authoritative leadership style, Maria focused on authentic leadership:
She shared her personal leadership values with her team, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
She implemented weekly open forums where employees could express concerns and ideas without fear of judgment.
She practiced active listening, ensuring that employees felt heard and valued.
Within six months, the results were remarkable: employee engagement scores increased by 40%, team members started taking initiative, and overall morale improved. By leading with authenticity, Maria built a team culture based on trust, respect, and empowerment—proving that authentic leadership isn’t just a personal philosophy; it’s a transformative force for organizations.
Leadership Challenge: Define Your Leadership Values
This month, take time to identify and reinforce your personal leadership values. Follow these steps:
Write down 10 words that describe what’s important to you as a leader (e.g., integrity, accountability, innovation).
Narrow your list to 3–5 core values that resonate the most.
For each value, write an example of how you demonstrate it in your leadership role.
At the end of each day, reflect: Did I lead in alignment with these values today? If not, what can I improve tomorrow?
If your daily actions don’t align with these values, consider what shifts you need to make.
Self-Reflection Questions
What does authentic leadership mean to you?
How do you currently show up as an authentic leader?
What is one area where you can improve your alignment with your values?
Quote of the Month
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” – Carl Jung
Next Month: The Power of Presence
In our next issue, we’ll explore how presence impacts your influence and leadership effectiveness. Until then, focus on leading with authenticity and aligning your actions with your values.