Impromptu

5Be Authentic

In their book, Credibility, James Kouzes and Barry Posner argue that “credibility is the foundation of leadership.” As they explain it, “People have to believe in their leaders before they will willingly follow them.”¹

The path to trust lies in authentic leadership—being honest and open in all your impromptu conversations. Authentic leaders build ties with their audiences on a very personal level, by sharing their presence, ideas, beliefs, feelings, vulnerabilities, and stories. Today's world of constant personal interaction is no place for “corporate speak,” insincerity, falsehoods, or wooden delivery. People expect more and leaders can give more of themselves. There is no better way to project this authenticity than in impromptu conversations that are unfettered from the bonds of traditional organizational protocols.

What Is Authentic Leadership?

“Authenticity” is a much‐touted term today. As Adam Grant writes in the New York Times, “We are in the Age of Authenticity, where ‘be yourself’ is the defining advice in life, love and career We want to live authentic lives, marry authentic partners, work for an authentic boss, vote for an authentic president.”² And, of course, be authentic ourselves.

But what does it mean to be authentic? The Greek root of “authenticity” is authentikos meaning “original” or “genuine.”³ We express our authenticity when we share what's inside us, what's genuine to us, what's original in us. Authenticity is not a state, it's an act ...