Why Authentic Leadership Matters - Essay Example

Authentic Leadership Student’s Name: Institutional Affiliation: University: Authentic Leadership Introduction Authentic leadership has emerged as an alternative form of leadership in many organizations. During the past one decade, there have been various problems that have emerged on how organizations are managed. The public has been very involved in monitoring how organizations are being managed. This has been caused by the changing context of leadership in the organizational world. These changes have been caused by mistrust among leaders, the close scrutiny of leaders, increasing complexity of organizations, and the fast changing business environment caused by the economic crisis, power shifting, political imbalances, society transformation, advances in technology and emergence and shift of leadership. There has been a need to change to change from old to new models of leadership caused by crisis in organizations, organizations failure and leadership successions caused by founding directors leaving, retiring of baby boomers, interim directors and nest generation leaders. In the USA, there has been a great demand for accountability after the collapse of Enron while in Australia, there has been the same call after the Australian wheat board scandal. Authentic leadership has emerged as one of the leadership models through which organizations are being managed This paper discusses leadership as presented by Bhindi and Duignan (1997). It also discusses the extent to which authentic leadership can be applied at the workplace. Authentic Leadership as proposed by Bhindi and Duignan Bhindi and Duignan (1997) have called for greater authenticity of organizational leaders in Australia. This has been caused by the increase in hypocrisy among organizational leaders. They have proposed authentic leadership as an alternative model of leadership. As proponents of authentic leadership, they call for higher standards of leadership in organizations. They want leaders to implement what they think about leadership. They call for leaders to practice ethical behavior and practice (Bhindi, & Duignan, 1997). Bhindi and Duignan (1997) think authenticity at the workplace is brought about by ethical behavior, transformational leadership, stewardship and spirituality (Bhindi, Gerber, & Riley, 2002). Their argument is that leadership is authentic to the extent that it is ethical, truthful, sincere and trustworthy in how the leader acts. Authentic leaders are those who practice honesty and integrity in their daily actions and also act in practice what they believe. Authentic leaders do not allow actions and interactions that that are hypocritical, manipulative, or deceitful (Bhindi, & Duignan, P1997). They practice stewardship through support, interdependence and compassion. Authentic leaders are also sensible to other people and act according to what they believe is good. They express whatever they believe in their inner thoughts. Proponents of authentic leadership believe that it’s not accidental but occurs naturally (cultivated intentionally) through self discipline. Authentic leadership involves two forces (Bhindi, 2003). The first force leading to authentic leadership involves transformational leadership. Transformational leadership involves applying higher moral and ethical standards. Transformational leadership has to be earned by a leader from the followers. It does not depend on power and authority but on renowned integrity and trustworthiness of the leader over a period of time. It involves a leader earning trust from his followers. Authentic leadership lies in the integrity of a leader. The other force that leads to authentic leadership is moving towards observing high moral principles and standard of conduct. These standard acts as a benchmark for constantly evaluating oneself and as a guide towards moving transformational authentic leadership. This ensures that an authentic leader acts according to how he is right (Duignan, & Bhindi, 1997). The extent to which the principles of Authentic Leadership can be applied at workplace Authentic leaders lead with a purpose integrity and value. Leaders who have these values are needed to lead an organization to success. These leaders practice good stewardship and build organizations with motivated employees who are able to provide good service to customers and create lasting value for the share holders. Authentic leaders serve others with a passion and follow what they think is right for the good of their followers. They recognize their shortcomings and work towards eliminating them. Authentic leaders are also self disciplined, reliable and unswerving when their principle are tested. They are also dedicated towards their growth as leaders as they know it takes time to become an accomplished leader. Authentic leaders also show five different qualities. The first quality that an authentic leader exhibits is showing purpose. People follow leaders who have principles and direction in leading. Leaders who do not have a true sense of purpose do not get any followers. To be an authentic leader, the leader must know oneself, their passion and motivations. People will commit themselves to a person whom they feel has ideas and is ready to take up a leadership role. An authentic leader practices solid values and beliefs. The values and character are what defines a leader. Leaders practice good moral behaviors to avoid compromising their integrity. Integrity is one of the key values that is required in every leader. A leader who practices integrity will say the truth no matter how it may affect the organization. Authentic leaders also lead from the heart. This kind of leader can motivate employees to do whatever is needed for the company to succeed. Through authentic leaders, a company can be able to achieve greatness over what people expect. Authentic leaders take it upon themselves to establish long lasting relationships with others. This helps the leaders to commit fully to their jobs. Organizations employees feel more secure when they have a personal relationship with the manager. This results in strong commitment to working for the company. This increases the loyalty of the workers to the company. Leaders who are authentic in nature also exhibit self discipline. Self discipline helps a person to gain respect from other people. It also helps the leader to demonstrate high value to employees through actions. This is because high levels of self discipline are required in order to succeed. The above qualities are the basis upon which the principles of authentic leadership are built. The principles of authentic leadership can be applied to a great extent in the company some of the areas where the principles of authentic leadership can be applied are as follows. Ethical leadership behavior Leaders have an obligation to set good morals for members of the organization and determine which organization activities may negatively impact to the values of the society generally. Authentic leaders display ethical behavior when they do what is morally right, justifiable and good. The leaders also help their followers improve their moral awareness and moral character actualization Ethical leaders create the correct environment and organizational culture to help in developing ethical behavior. Ethics is concerned with the results of individual’s actions on other people (Bass, & Steidlmeier, 1999). The ethical perspective tries to establish whether an action is moral or not. An act is considered moral or immoral depending on whether it achieves private objectives. An action is ethical if the outcome of the action or behavior is more beneficial to the person than other alternative actions. The interests of other people are only a concern if they help take full advantage of one’s own welfare and interest. The principles of authentic leadership can be used to improve the ethical behavior within the organization. Ethical behavior is very important for the improvement of performance of the organizations. It is important in encouraging good morals within the organization. Inquiry Inquiry involves an honest search for an individual as well as an organizational purpose. Authentic leaders are involved in the search for a rich and wide perspective on complex problems facing the organization. The leader seeks to understand deeply all ideas and possibilities that face the organization. This can be applied by the organizations leaders in decision making process. Authenticity can be used to improve the organization purpose within the organization. Connection A connection is a deep and true relationship with oneself and other people within an organization. This value is highly encouraged by the principles of authentic leadership (Avolio et al 2004). Authentic leaders show an appreciation of the value, intellectual and feeling dimension in them and in others. The principles of authenticity improve connection between the members of an organization. The connection within the organization also improves the leader’s authenticity. Openness Openness refers to the readiness and desire to accept consider and take an ethical action on the information, opportunity and viewpoints of all manner. Authentic leadership requires that the leaders should be open. Openness in leadership creates a sense of psychological security. Openness is very important to the success of the company. Authenticity ensures that there is openness in the organization. By applying the principles of authenticity in management, the open communication within the company will also increase. Courage Courage is the willingness of a leader or individuals’ to risk in spite of the risks involved including the possibility of failure. The principles of authentic leadership increase the courage of the manager to take risks. The projects with the highest risk also earn the highest returns to the company. An authentic manager will not only look at the benefits he gains but also benefits the company gains as a whole. This is very important for the long term success of the organization in the future. The principles of authentic leadership are, therefore, very important to the success of the organization. Future focusing Focusing on the future involves a thorough and reliable study of the shifts, developments and future circumstances that redefine an occupation industry or organization. It involves taking a creative and far reaching view of emerging opportunities. The principles of authentic leadership ensure that the organizations leaders are future focused. Focusing on the future ensures that the long term goals of the organization are not compromised. The principles of authentic leadership will, therefore, be applied to ensure the long term existence of the company. Clarity Clarity refers to the open and honest communication of a person’s ideas. In an organization, it involves making sure all directions and priorities are followed. The desirable information for making decisions and acting on is available. The leader understands the importance that surrounds private relationships. The principles of authenticity which guarantee authenticity ensure that all instructions in the organization are clear. Integrity This refers to continuous adherence to high levels of moral principles (May, Chan, Hodges, & Avolio, 2003). The authenticity of a leader depends on whether he leaves a long lasting expression of honesty, trustworthiness, honor and leaving ethically. The organization creates core values and professional principles observed by everybody in the organization. Observing integrity within the organization is very important not to compromise the moral values of the organization. Commitment Commitment refers to the willingness of individual to complete whatever they undertake. Authentic leaders are willing to devote time and the full energy, as well as talents to complete anything one is able complete the assignment (Goffee, & Jones, 2005). Authentic leaders are not willing to stop in spite of challenges and have agreed to pursue their goals to the very end. Therefore, the success of the organization projects is always guaranteed. Inclusiveness Inclusiveness refers to maximizing the number of opportunities that are available to the organization. It revolves around creating opportunities for all members of the organization to be involved in the organization. The principle of authenticity can be used to ensure inclusiveness in the organization. Inclusiveness will ensure that all opportunities that arise are recognized and exploited fully. Win-win This involves realizing and experiencing mutual benefits in the agreements that the organization is party to. Authentic leaders establish relationships that each group benefits by making a contribution. The principles of authenticity ensure that all the parties in the organizations benefit from the decisions made by the manager. It’s, therefore, important for the principles of authenticity to be applied in the organization. Excellence Excellence refers to pursuing the highest quality in any undertaking process product all the time. The principles of authenticity ensure excellence in the organization all the time. Leaders who are authentic always pursue excellence in their organizations, therefore, the principle the principles are very applicable I ensuring organizational excellence. Productivity Productivity refers to the optimal use of the available resources to achieve a result that is well known. The principle of authenticity can be used in the area of productivity. The productivity of the firm will increase when authentic leadership is applied in the area of authenticity of the company. Accountability Accountability refers to taking responsibility. Authentic leadership requires that the leader be accountable for all his actions in the organization. There should be someone responsible for the resulting outcome from the decision made and the actions taken. The principles of authenticity are very applicable in the area of accountability. The when the principles of authenticity are applied in leadership it ensure that every person is accountable for his area in the organization. Improvement Being committed refers to continuously enhancing the quality of performance of both individuals and the organization (Harvey, Martinko, & Gardner, 2006). The authentic leaders always look at how improvement is being done because they also want good results for themselves. Principles of authenticity can be applied to ensure improvement in the company. Authentic leadership ensures that the company improves in all its areas of operation. Alignment Alignment refers to matching of the available resources, decisions and organization structures to the vision, mission and core values of the organization. The value of authentic leadership helps the manager in alignment. Authenticity ensures that the company manager allocates the resources objective for the company. Contribution Contribution refers to freely investing ones attention, talent and resources to enhance the growth of the company (Lussier, & Achua, 2007). The principles of authentic leadership promote a leaders contribution towards the company. If authentic leaders contribute to the company, they increase to the success of the company. Contribution also ensures that the company provides quality customer service to the company. Contribution also increases the value of the shareholders. For the organization to succeed in applying the principals of authenticity in leadership, the organizations leaders must also be authentic. This is because authentic leaders are more committed towards the company’s success. They will be able to implement all the required principals to ensure the organization succeeds. Authentic leaders will also not consider how they benefit from what they implement. The implement whatever they consider important to the benefit of the company. The principles of authentic leadership will be applied to improve the above mentioned areas if the leaders are authentic if not all the principles may not be implemented to lead to the above benefits. Conclusion Authentic leadership requires dedication to the core and lasting moral values. It is refined and sustained through compassion, sincerity, high leadership morals and interpersonal relations. In the workplace, the principles of ethical leadership should be applied. Many organizations need authentic leaders in order to succeed. When leaders practice authentic leadership they accept responsibilities and ownership to their actions. Authentic leadership is not accidental but intentionally natured. New innovations are easy to make under authentic leadership. Only by creating an authentic leadership culture does an organization improve and starts to move towards success. References Adreinne, C. (2003). Authenticity. 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