Self-Awareness Leads To Authenticity

CBS Sunday morning did a segment on leadership which featured retired 4-star General Stanley McChrystal.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-kind-of-leadership-does-our-nation-need/

McChrystal made a comment about the importance of being self-aware as a leader. He pointed out that if you aren't genuinely self-aware, you will end up doing things that you said you wouldn't. One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a leader is to say one thing and do another.

He brought up one of my favorite quotes on leadership that has been credited to Diane Sawyer.

"People will forgive you for not being the leader you want to be, but they will never forgive you for not being the leader you claim to be."

I absolutely love what that quote says about the importance of authenticity as a leader. If you aren't genuine you simply can't be an effective leader.

McChrystal's point about self-awareness is a great one to think about. You have to be really comfortable, confident and honest with yourself about who you are. If you aren't, you'll have a hard time being honest with the people you are trying to influence - even if you don't know it. Show any signs of being inauthentic and your credibility as a leader is crushed.

Work on being brutally self-aware. Have tough conversations with people you really respect and trust. Take a close look at the people around you and measure how they react to what you do and say. Evaluate yourself constantly. Listen more than you speak. Take notes or keep a diary on the decisions you make and the impact they have. Ask your players or employees for honest feedback. Do not let difficult emotions take over your mindset and cloud your way of thinking.

Self-awareness is a huge factor in the ability to lead well. It's hard to be authentic without being honest with yourself first.