🧭How to be an Authentic Leader

Good Day, and welcome to The Growth Compass. We are that extra dose of coffee throughout your Thanksgiving day that helps you fight off the tryptophan and manage time with your family with energy and vigor.

Here’s where we’re headed today:

• John Maxwell on authentic leadership

• Why being authentic matters

• The amazing story of Jaime Escalante from Stand and Deliver

• Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and others on authenticity

John Maxwell on Authentic Leadership

"People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision."

- John Maxwell

Why Being Authentic Matters

What is Authentic Leadership: It is when leaders are true to themselves and their values, and they lead with conviction and consistency. Authentic leadership is a leadership style rooted in self-awareness and genuineness. This approach emphasizes transparency, ethics, and a strong sense of empathy and understanding towards others.

Why Authentic Leadership Matters: Authentic leadership matters because it fosters trust and respect between leaders and their teams. It creates a more open and honest work environment. Authentic leadership encourages genuine connections, making it easier to engage and motivate team members. Authentic leaders are seen as more approachable and relatable, which can lead to increased loyalty and a stronger, more cohesive team dynamic.

Authentic leadership:

• Builds trust

• Improves team engagement

• Increases adaptability

• Builds relationships

• Raises the standard for communication

• Raises the standard for culture

What The Science Says:

A number of authentic leadership studies have suggested correlations between authentic leadership and positive follower outcomes, such as commitment, engagement and job satisfaction

• Impact on Trust and Workplace Climate: Walumbwa et al. (2008) in the Journal of Management found that authentic leadership is positively related to both job satisfaction and work engagement. This study suggests that when leaders are authentic, they create a more positive work environment, leading to higher levels of employee satisfaction and engagement.

• Role in Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Avolio, Walumbwa, & Weber (2009) in The Leadership Quarterly highlighted that authentic leadership is strongly linked to organizational citizenship behavior. Employees tend to go above and beyond their job requirements in organizations led by authentic leaders, demonstrating extra-role behaviors that benefit the organization.

• Contribution to Leadership Development: Gardner, Avolio, Luthans, May, & Walumbwa (2005) in The Leadership Quarterly discussed how authentic leadership contributes to the development of future leaders. The study suggests that authentic leadership behaviors can be developed and nurtured, leading to a sustainable leadership pipeline within organizations.

These studies collectively illustrate the profound impact of authentic leadership on various aspects of organizational life, including employee satisfaction, engagement, ethical behavior, and overall organizational effectiveness. But it all stems from trust, connection, and relationship. Authentic leaders behave in a way that makes them approachable and show they truly care.

The Amazing Story of Jaime Escalante

Jaime Escalante, the dynamic Bolivian-born educator, gained widespread recognition through the film "Stand and Deliver," which portrayed his tenure at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Escalante became famous for his unconventional teaching methods and his unwavering commitment to his students, many of whom were from underprivileged backgrounds.

He challenged the educational status quo by proving that with the right support and encouragement, all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, could excel in advanced mathematics, particularly calculus. His story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the impact a dedicated teacher can have on the lives of students.

As a leader, Jaime Escalante demonstrated several key qualities of authentic leadership:

Genuine Passion for Teaching: “If you don’t have the ‘ganas’, I will give it to you because I’m an expert.” - Jaime Escalante

Escalante would talk about “ganas”, which means “desire” in Spanish. He would enter class with that desire every day and bring it out of his students. His love for teaching and his subject matter was evident in his energetic and engaging teaching style. He genuinely cared about mathematics and wanted his students to not only understand it but also appreciate its value.

Empathy and Understanding: “You know what kills me…it’s that they lost confidence in the system they’re now finally qualified to be a part of. I don’t know why I’m losing sleep over this.” - Jaime Escalanate

He truly cared and connected with his students on a personal level. He took time understanding their backgrounds and the challenges they faced, and he wanted more for them. This empathy allowed him to tailor his approach to meet their specific needs and circumstances.

High Expectations and Belief in Students: “If we expect kids to be losers, they will be losers; if we expect them to be winners, they will be winners. They rise, or fall, to the level of the expectations of those around them, especially their parents and their teachers.” - Jaime Escalanate

Escalante firmly believed in the potential of every student, often pushing them beyond what they thought was possible. He set high standards and provided the support needed to help his students meet these expectations, demonstrating his belief in their abilities and potential.

I’d highly recommend the movie if you have never watched it, great for anyone!

Simon Sinek and Others on Authenticity

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