How can you use the authentic leadership theory to build trust with your team?

1 What is authentic leadership?

Authentic leadership is a theory that emerged in the early 2000s, based on the idea that leaders who are true to themselves and their values can create positive and lasting change in their organizations and society. According to Bill George, one of the pioneers of the theory, authentic leaders have four characteristics: they are self-aware, they practice their values consistently, they lead with their heart, and they establish long-term relationships. Authentic leaders are not afraid to show their emotions, admit their mistakes, and share their vision, and they encourage others to do the same.

2 How to be an authentic leader?

Being an authentic leader is not something you can fake or imitate; it is something you must cultivate over time. To become more authentic, consider reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, values, and purpose. Ask for feedback from others and listen to their perspectives. Communicate openly and honestly, demonstrate integrity and accountability, and show vulnerability and humility. Think about how you express your thoughts and feelings, how you handle conflicts and disagreements, how you uphold ethical standards, how you take responsibility for your decisions and actions, how you cope with uncertainty and ambiguity, how you deal with failures and setbacks, and how you appreciate the success of others.

3 How to build trust with your team?

Trust is essential for any successful team, and it is heavily influenced by the leader's behavior and attitude. As an authentic leader, you can build trust with your team by being consistent and reliable, transparent and fair, supportive and empowering, and collaborative and inclusive. Your team needs to know that you will do what you say and say what you do, that you are honest and open about your goals, plans, challenges, and decisions, that you care about their well-being, growth, and development, that you give them autonomy, feedback, and recognition, and that you value their opinions, contributions, and diversity. Involving them in the decision-making and problem-solving processes will also help build trust.

4 How to foster a culture of authenticity and trust?

As an authentic leader, you can foster a culture of authenticity and trust by sharing your story and vision to help your team understand their place in it. Encourage self-awareness and feedback so they can reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. Create an open dialogue to allow them to express their emotions, opinions, and ideas. Finally, celebrate diversity and innovation to give them the appreciation and encouragement to embrace their differences and similarities, as well as experiment with new solutions and approaches.

5 What are the benefits of authentic leadership?

Authentic leadership can have many positive outcomes for you, your team, and your organization. Increased trust and loyalty between team members can be expected, as well as enhanced performance and productivity. Your team will be more motivated, engaged, creative, and resilient to change. Moreover, improved well-being and satisfaction can be seen as your team is more happy, healthy, and fulfilled in their work. Additionally, they will be more loyal, supportive, and respectful to each other.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?