Perfectly Imperfect

Great Leaders Come In All Shapes and Sizes

Many leadership experts and not-so-experts have been writing and talking about authenticity for years. I’m a big fan of authenticity and also recognize that it can be a slippery slope. Does authenticity mean that you must disclose every thought and feeling in the workplace?  What if your authentic self is always late, doesn’t fulfill commitments, and is fundamentally self-centered? Does the exhortation to “be authentic” relieve you of the obligation to be a good human being and a good colleague? No, of course not. Authenticity is about knowing who you are – self-awareness – and ensuring that your walk and talk are consistent. It’s about knowing when to bring forward what part of ourselves (because we have many) to achieve objectives. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin and using that which is truly you to create great things. It’s about understanding your flaws and your strengths and embracing them all.

Great leaders come in all shapes and sizes and styles precisely because they are expressing their own unique authenticity. They have a lot in common – emotional intelligence, compelling communications, social awareness, and empathy, among other things. But they are not all exactly alike – just like some of the most beautiful strands of pearls. Inauthentic leaders ultimately won’t make the cut, but exquisitely imperfect authentic leaders always will. So wear your pearls.