The Vulnerable Leader : Radical Authenticty
Let's dive headfirst into a philosophy that's often misunderstood, but is the absolute game-changer when it comes to leadership - Radical Authenticity. It's the foundation of being a vulnerable leader, a stance that calls for a comfort level with yourself that's, well, radical. Authenticity isn't just a choice, it's a contagion (the good kind), spreading its influence far and wide. Let’s dive in…
Authenticity is…
to be resilient
to inspire trust
to be self-aware
to be accountable
to be consistently transparent
Let’s play out a common scenario and see how an authentic vs unauthentic leader handles the situation.
Scenario: You are currently at a SaaS company that has historically grown 200% YoY. You build a plan to continue this growth trend due to tailwinds you had the year prior and expect for momentum to continue. As you walk into January, the challenges start to pop up.
Recession risks start looming, so consumer behavior starts to pull back. This means your entire demand generation funnel is down by 20% compared to your forecast.
Your largest partner unexpectedly takes their business to a competitor, accounting for 10% of revenue loss in your new forecast.
New industry laws were recently enacted, which means more friction has been introduced in the sales process and it will take three months for product to meet the requirements.
Now let’s compare….
The Unauthentic Leader
Poor Communication: This leader chooses to keep most of the team in the dark, sharing information only with a select few. The leader's fear is that full transparency will lead to panic or an exodus from the company.
Inconsistent Behavior: The leader's anxiety is palpable, leading to irritability and emotional outbursts that are out of character.
Shirking Responsibility: The blame game begins. The leader points fingers at the head of product for lack of foresight, the partner organization for the churn, and the finance and revenue leaders for the now inaccurate forecast.
Panicked Vision: The leader's mantra becomes "row faster, row harder." Fear-based leadership and aggressive sales tactics are employed in a desperate attempt to bridge the perceived revenue gap.
Absence of Empathy: The leader expects a uniform reaction from all employees, failing to acknowledge or respect individual responses and feelings.
The Authentic Leader
Clear and Transparent Communication: Authentic leaders trust their team with the truth - no sugarcoating. They don't pretend to have all the answers but ensure everyone's on the same page so they can find those answers together.
Bold, yet Open: The leader acknowledges the challenges ahead and what needs to be done to succeed. They also do not veer away from the risks. Every message is delivered with calmness and conviction.
Own It: If something goes south, an authentic leader steps up and takes full responsibility. And when it's time to hold someone accountable, they do it privately, with respect and tact.
Balances the Short and Long Term: They know how to tweak the strategy for quick wins, but they never lose sight of the grand prize. And that means never jeopardizing their brand or product value.
People First: Authentic leaders know it's not about getting people to 'fall in line'. Everyone reacts differently under stress. This is when they get to know their team on a deeper level, showing their support and guiding them through.
“You can’t make people listen to you. You can’t make them execute. That might be a temporary solution for a simple task. But to implement real change, to drive people to accomplish something truly complex or difficult or dangerous—you can’t make people do those things. You have to lead them.”
-Jocko Willink
Vulnerability breeds Authentic Leadership
If you're aiming to be a leader who's not afraid to show their vulnerable side, authenticity is your ticket. It's about wholeheartedly embracing yourself and extending that acceptance to those around you. It's about standing firm in your truth and holding steady, even when the going gets tough.
Imagine having folks say, "I'd work for that person in a heartbeat." That's the sign of a leader who's truly made an impact. Be that leader. Be real, be you. Because authentic leadership isn't just about the title, it's about the lives you touch and the change you inspire.
Until next time.
Stay authentic, stay you.
