For my first blog post, I wanted to discuss my results on the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire. I found the assessment to be extremely valuable, and while the results were not shocking, I feel as though I have gained a few valuable takeaways that will impact my leadership style going forward.
Authentic leadership is a theory that encapsulates many aspects that I value. Included below are my assessment results and how the aspects of authentic leadership relate to me.
Self-awareness
Score: 18 - High
I think that self-awareness is a crucial skill that allows leaders to be able to regulate their decisions, reactions, and impact on their followers. Phyllis Sarkaria states "self-awareness has been suggested by some to be more critical to leadership success than technical ability or intellect". (Sarkaria, 2018) I think that I often exhibit self-awareness by seeking feedback from others and remaining aware of my thoughts and emotions.
Internalized Moral Perspective
Score: 17 - High
Introspection is a skill that can lead to an increased level of trust within a team. Everyone working in a professional environment has encountered a team member that could be described as oblivious. Being transparent with your intent and having a clear sense of purpose can be great ways to build healthy relationships that value trust.
Balanced Processing
Score: 13 - Low
Being open to new ideas or listening to differing opinions is an area where I struggle. Although I don't purposely exclude humility or progress, I have to focus on making balanced processing a feature of my leadership style. As a leader or team member, I often try to support the team by making sure everything is perfect to my standards and to my viewpoint. As an authentic leader, I must set aside my answers and be willing to hear from others.
Relational Transparency
Score: 15 - Low
Being perceived as authentic is just as important as being authentic as a leader. No human is perfect and everyone will make mistakes on occasion. Being able to admit fault is an action that can help build trust and show that every mistake is an opportunity to learn. As an authentic leader, I must be able to be open with team members and allow them to see every aspect of my beliefs and values.
In conclusion, I view authentic leadership as the culmination of many important aspects and skills. It is not enough to just share your feelings or talk about trust. Authentic leaders must be willing to live a life that values integrity, transparency, trust, self-awareness, and pure authenticism.
References:
Sarkaria, P.H. (2018). Authentic Leadership. In Ethical Leadership: A Primer (pp. 241–260). essay.