Authentic Leadership

Authentic Leadership enjoyable to reach about because for me I feel like I can really relate it to real life. According to our commentary (PSU, Lesson 12) there are 3ways to define authentic leadership. Authentic leadership is interpersonal, meaning there is a relationship between leader and follow that is strong, and genuine.

Authentic leadership is about being true to ones-self, or ‘authentic’. This makes sense because in order to be an authentic leader, one should probably be authentic in emotion and thought. It’s critical for a leader to be self-aware, and understand their place in the relationship between leader and follower. Authentic leadership is also development. This style relates to dealings with life events that take people out of their ‘comfort zone’, “life events cause the leader to use their authentic leadership skills (PSU, Lesson 12).

When considering an authentic leader, my father is the first one to come to mind. My dad has had the biggest impact on my life by far compared to anyone else. He was a single father, and raised me almost solely on his own. He did this and immigrated to the United States with nothing but a few garbage bags full of clothes. My dad taught me a lot of things, like many parents, but at a very young age I was living in a very real world. He showed me with his actions what hard work could get, how to be respectful, and he made sure I understood where we were coming from and how easy it would be to take the wrong turn in life. My Dad went from single, homeless father, to successful business owner over the course of 15 years. He went from food stamps to freedom, and lives a very happy, stress free life. I believe that to truly understand authentic leadership, one must have a good grasp and understanding of their life. The story of one’s life really provides a framework for one’s experiences which someone can use to find the inspiration to leave an impact on the world.

In my opinion, it’s one’s personal account their life that really matters, not just the literal facts of one’s life. Your personal life account is something that you draw from to make decisions, take actions, and generate opinion. We attempt to make sense of our lives and find our personal place in the world. While the ‘life stories’ of an authentic leader of course vary from one case to the next, including the positive experiences with their parents, coaches, mentors, school teachers, etc. many times a leader cites difficult or troubling life experiences as their source for inspiration and motivation. One of my mentors is author, serial-entrepreneur, and billionaire 30 year old Ryan Blair. His book his called “Nothing to Lose” and it’s a great story of overcoming difficult circumstances to gain success. To me, Ryan Blair is also an authentic leader, because the principles he shares are to use for one’s own personal success. Ryan Blair truly cares about other entrepreneurs their success and time freedom.

Ryan Blair

An authentic leader, like my Father or Ryan Blair usually have experienced transformative effects of personal tragedy, illness, job loss, etc. and also describe feeling rejected by society or their peers or being excluded. But instead of seeing themselves as victims, an authentic leader uses these negative experiences to give their lives certain meaning. To give them motivation and inspiration to help others see the same success. These types of individuals overcome these events and rise above roadblocks and later discover a passion to lead others. I must say, I think it’s a very motivational type of leadership to follow. I really enjoy the understanding of authentic leadership, it’s been one of my favorites thus far.

Betty Ford

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“The one red thread that has run through all of the retrospectives is this: Betty Ford was herself no matter what the consequences. Outspoken and sometimes controversial, she was “authentic” long before it was a leadership buzzword.” (Miller, 2013)

The theoretical approach of authentic Leadership works because leaders demonstrate self-awareness, and internalized moral perspective, balanced processing and relational transparency.” (Northouse, 2013) Using this definition I would have to say that Betty Ford was the ideal in authentic leadership. “Authentic leadership is a complex process that emphasizes the development of qualities that help leaders to be perceived as trustworthy and believable by their followers.”(Northouse, 2013) Betty Ford was not seeking to be a leader rather she was content to be a former professional dance and dance teacher and mother. However when her husband became the president and she became the First Lady her life changed. Leaders can learn to become authentic leaders. “Authentic leadership is formed from critical life experiences that act as triggers to growth and greater authenticity.”(Northouse, 2013)

People were now looking at her to be leader whether she wanted them to or not. Betty Ford “became known for her openness and candor” (Northouse, 2013) and remained true to herself, she did not change who she was, or her core values because of her new position as First Lady.

One of the major strengths of authentic leadership is that it fulfills and expressed need for trustworthy leadership in society. As the First Lady people want to believe that she is a good person at heart. Also “authentic leadership requires the leader to do what is “right” and “good” for the followers and society, to be honest with themselves and others, and to work for the common good.” (Northouse, 2012) Betty Ford’s openness during difficult situations such as when she was diagnosed with breast cancer proved to the public that she was a good person at heart. “Betty Ford took risks not commonly taken before her time. When diagnosed with breast cancer, she saw her condition as an opportunity to publicly express that it’s okay and acceptable to have physical conditions that cause a person to suffer and need treatment.” (Shure, 2012) Betty Ford did not have to go public with her struggles but she wanted to use her position as First Lady to “create an atmosphere of support and comfort for other women fighting the disease.” (Northouse, 2013)

During her 60 Minute interview she spoke her mind on current topics such as “abortion rights, premarital sex and marijuana use” while remaining true to her core values. (Northouse, 2013) Her approval rating took a hit and plummeted. Staying true to her core values was just another demonstration of Betty Ford’s authentic leadership. Betty Ford could have simply skirted the questions with political answers that never really give an opinion or answer; however she did not do this, as always she was an outspoken woman and authentically answered what she thought.

Later in Betty Ford’s life she struggled with alcoholism and an addiction to prescription drugs. “When confronted by her loving family about misuse and abuse of prescriptive drugs and alcohol, Betty Ford took action, sought treatment and demystified addictions by publicly speaking about her struggles, thus encouraging others to come out of the closet and talk about their real issues as well.” (Shure, 2011) She also developed a center that treats addiction based on gender, called the “Betty Ford Center.”

So often women, in particular, are afraid to step into their leadership by being their authentic self. Personally I think that is because if your authentic self gets attacked or criticized they are really attacking you for who you are. However if you put up a front as a leader and you get attacked then you can justify the attacks as because they are not really attacking you- rather they are attacking the front you put up. I commend Betty Ford for being so willing to stand up, after her initial hesitation and be an authentic leader. Betty Ford stood up for Women in the workforce in a time where being female in the working world was difficult. She wanted equal rights and spoke her mind about it. Betty Ford was a true leader for women as a whole additionally for women suffering from Cancer. Her leadership did not stop there she managed to cross the gender line and be a leader for men and women struggling with addiction. In the words of Betty Ford “I don’t think there is anything as wonderful in life as being able to help someone else.” (Northouse, 2013)

References:

Miller, J. (2013). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://leadchangegroup.com/the-courage-to-be-yourself/

Northouse, P. (2012). Leadership: Theory and practice. (6 ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publishing.

Shure, J. (2011, July 11). Betty ford inspires resilient leadership. . Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-shure/betty-ford-inspires-resil_b_894238.html

Authentic Leaders in My Life

Betty Ford as an Authentic Leader