What Makes an “Authentic” Leader?

How do you define authenticity, as a leader? If you associate it with what feels comfortable, you may be holding yourself back.

Herminia Ibarra, a professor of organizational behavior at London Business School, says that if you want to grow as a leader, you must leave your comfort zone and try new behaviors. Eventually, she says, you’ll arrive at a more authentic version of yourself.

“The paradox is that a lot of times in order to become more authentic, more fully yourself, but in a new capacity, you can’t start that way,” says Ibarra. “You actually have to do things that don’t come naturally and that sometimes make you feel like a fake or an imposter.”

In this episode, you’ll learn how to try out new leadership behaviors in lower stakes, less visible settings while you slowly improve your skills. You’ll also learn how to balance authenticity with vulnerability when you communicate with your team.

Key episode topics include: leadership, managing people, change leadership, authenticity, growth, communication, leadership presence, organizational change, new manager.

HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.

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