Weekly Challenge #5: Display Authenticity
This post is part of my Weekly Challenge series: a collection of micro-coaching tips and calls to action to enhance your leadership. If you’re joining me for the first time - welcome! You’ve arrived at a place dedicated to helping you grow as a leader. To get started, click the red button below, and I’ll do everything I can to provide you with insights, tools, and pathways to help you lead with greater clarity, impact, and care.
Let’s talk about “authenticity.” Yep, another strength of exceptional leaders. But what exactly is it? It’s quite the buzzword these days, so let me paint a picture to point you in the right direction.
No matter what the future looks like, one thing is clear: As machines become a bigger part of our daily lives, it's more important than ever to embrace our humanity in how we connect with others - whether as leaders, teachers, friends, or family.
In the age of artificial intelligence, we can't be "artificial" in how we lead. We need to be real - staying true to ourselves and our relationships with those around us.
Strong leaders who display authenticity - as both a behavior and a competency - connect with others with ease by showing their humanity. In other words, they accept that they're not perfect and that they make mistakes (and will admit to making them!). If the leader models authenticity, then, when employees make mistakes, it's safe for them to risk being open enough to say, "Hey, boss, I messed up."
THIS WEEK’S IMPLEMENTER CHALLENGE ➡️
One profound way to display authenticity is to know what’s going on with your team members. To model it in the most human way possible, ask them 3 questions:
If you had to use one word to describe your work experience, what would it be and why?
What’s the one thing I could do to make you feel better about your job?
Is there anything that we could change that would make things go better for you at getting your work done?
These questions help you to understand what's really going on with your employees - especially your most valued workers - and help them be more productive and engaged. But, not only that, by asking these questions with a level of authenticity and courage, you are building bridges of trust.
For this week’s challenge, ask your team members one of the questions above.
Are there any questions you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re joining me for the first time - welcome! You’ve arrived at a place dedicated to helping you grow as a leader. To get started, click the red button below, and I’ll do everything I can to provide you with insights, tools, and pathways to help you lead with greater clarity, impact, and care.
For those ready to go deeper, here are a few ways I can support your leadership journey:
🎙️Listen to the Love in Action Podcast: Join deep, engaging conversations with top business experts and explore how practical love and care are great for people and profits. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
🛠️ Curious About Coaching? Become a Substack Founding Member and receive two 30-minute, one-on-one coaching sessions. It’s a practical, low-commitment way to explore how coaching can support your leadership growth.
🚀 Leadership Coaching: Most coaching focuses on what leaders do - but real change starts with who you are. My coaching helps you build deep self-awareness, expand your influence, and create meaningful, lasting impact. Schedule a 30-Minute Discovery call to learn more.
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