If you research issues related to recruitment and retention, you will see poor leadership identified as one of the leading causes of retention issues. People will leave when there are more fires inside the station than outside. Those who may want to join will shy away as they don’t want to join a dysfunctional team. The concept of authentic leadership may add value to better recruitment and retention.
Authentic leadership emphasizes being true to oneself and one's values rather than conforming to external expectations or trying to project a certain image. Authentic leaders are self-aware, genuine, and transparent in their actions and interactions with others. They are committed to building trust and establishing meaningful relationships with their followers and prioritize ethical decision-making and social responsibility.
Some key characteristics of authentic leadership include:
Self-awareness: Authentic leaders deeply understand their strengths, weaknesses, and values.
Relational transparency: Authentic leaders are open and honest in their interactions with others and strive to build trusting relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
Balanced processing: Authentic leaders can objectively consider different viewpoints and perspectives when making decisions.
Internalized moral perspective: Authentic leaders have a strong sense of personal values and ethics and prioritize doing what is right, even when difficult.
Self-discipline: Authentic leaders can control their impulses and emotions and are committed to continuous self-improvement and growth.
Authentic leadership is about leading with integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to personal and collective growth and well-being. It requires you to look into the mirror and evaluate yourself. Focus on ensuring everyone on your team is respected, safe, and well-trained for the expectations placed on them. Yelling, using foul language, or your positional power to get people to act will create a path for good people to leave. When you are in a leadership position, it is not about you. It is about how YOU can serve those on your team.