Authentic Leadership is Critical to Building a Just World

Authenticity is in many ways at the core of equity and justice work. In a just world where everyone thrives we would all be able to be authentic, and be accepted and valued for who we are at our core. And to move from the current reality to our envisioned future requires authentic engagement, commitment, and self reflection. And so, as we strive to build this just world together it is natural that the question of authenticity - what it is, who gets to experience it, and how to increase it - rises to the surface.

There is an inherent contradiction in inviting people to bring their full selves to work and to do vulnerable personal work inside of a workplace context with power dynamics and real life consequences. Because of this, it is difficult to overstate the important role leaders play in creating it is difficult to overstate the important role leaders play in creating compassionate, inclusive, and resilient cultures.compassionate, inclusive, and resilient cultures.

In our work we hear two common themes from clients: 1) teams looking for more authenticity from In our work we hear two common themes from clients: 1) teams looking for more authenticity from their leaders and 2) leaders who are struggling to be more authentic in their leadership.their leaders and 2) leaders who are struggling to be more authentic in their leadership.

This maps onto well documented generational trends. Millennials and Gen Z in the workforce value human-centered leadership, want to work for purpose driven organizations that are diverse and inclusive, and value work life balance. As leaders we have the opportunity to rise to this opportunity.

I have thought a lot about these questions in my own leadership. What does it look and feel like for me to lead authentically within Canopy? What does it look and feel like for me to authentically bring my leadership to the community?

And so, in this newsletter mini series I am going to talk specifically about authentic leadership.

Authentic leadership is defined as “a leadership style exhibited by individuals who have high standards of integrity, take responsibility for their actions, and make decisions based on principle rather than short-term success. They use their inner compasses to guide their daily actions, which enables them to earn the trust of their employees, peers, and shareholders—creating approachable work environments and boosting team performance.”

Building a just world inherently requires disrupting the status quo, and with that comes possibility, but also uncertainty and conflict. In doing this work at the organization level we are upending the right to comfort, fear of open conflict, and power hoarding characteristics of white supremacy that are baked into how most of our organizations function. It is normal and natural that this can be turbulent. To navigate this process we need leaders who have done (and continue to do) their own internal work and are from there able to support, engage, and ground their teams and organizations.

As a leader it is essential to build consciousness about your own intersecting identities as a part of developing your authentic leadership style. We bring ourselves with us wherever we go, and doing this inner work will support you to show up for your team from a place of understanding, connection, and care no matter how you identify. Liza Talusan’s book The Identity Conscious Educator is a wonderful guide to explore how identity shows up in your personal and professional life.

Over the next several newsletter installments I am going to speak to three elements of authentic leadership that I see and personally experience as extremely important: self-connection, discernment, and sustainability. I am going to focus primarily on how you as leaders get to build these ways of being internally so that you can let go of fear and show up for yourself, your teams, and your organizations in the ways you are being called to.

As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to reflect on the following prompts:

• Think of a time when you were able to show up authentically. What did that look and feel like? How did it feel in your body? What possibilities were available to you from that place?

• What comes up for you when you think about authentic leadership?

• In what ways have you experienced authentic leadership?

• In what ways do you struggle to bring authenticity into your leadership?

• What resonates with you in connecting authentic leadership to equity and justice work?

I’d love to hear from you! Please reply and let me know some of your reflections. 

I’m excited to continue the conversation over the coming weeks!

With love,

Tessa

Authentic Leadership Part 1