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In the previous post we looked at Getting to know yourself and your origins as one aspect of trying to establish and manage your authenticity.

The other two aspects to Rob Goffee and Garetth Jones approach are:

*        Getting to know others better

*        Connect to the Organisation context better

I’ll try and cover off the remaining two with a slight homage to Depeche Mode, given that they’re in town tonight and I’m going - thanks Sis !

Getting to know others better

People are People – given the pace at which modern professional life is lived, it’s far too easy to see many of one’s colleagues from only one dimension i.e. their professional dimension.  Consciously try and flesh out people’s personas by finding out about their backgrounds, passions, families etc..

Walking in my Shoes – remove barriers between yourself and others – for example, by selectively showing a weakness you demonstrate approachability.  Or by finding common ground – interest in sport, 70’s disco music or whatever.

It’s Called a Heart – once again feedback is important – try to give people feedback that acknowledges their own values and beliefs i.e. what is unique about them.

Connect to the Organisation context better

Get the Balance Right – need to get the distance right, you need to connect but not too much i.e. must fit in but retain sense of individualism

Everything Counts – need to develop your social antennae, understand the organisational undercurrent – what do people think? What are they talking about?

Personal Jesus – need to understand what the deeply held cultural values and beliefs of the organisation are and honour them.

So I know some of the analogies above are stretched, but hopefully they still communicate the underlying point.

But remember all these steps are just that, steps, in order to really build you authenticity as a leader you must do more than understand what they are, you must live them – so what steps are you going to take over the next week, month, or year to develop yourself as an authentic leader?