Authentic Leadership, Food Industry Insights, Reducing Your Family’s Exposure to Harmful Substances

Bill George coined the phrase in the book he wrote in 2003. Since then, countless authors and researchers have praised the benefits of authentic leadership.

Think about leaders you have admired and enjoyed being led by. Where they authentic? Did they admit when they are wrong? When they honestly don’t know the next best step is? Great people love to follow those types of leaders. They engage the entire team in reaching the organizations goals. And isn’t an engaged workforce what we need more of?

Another term that mirrors the idea of authentic leadership is Emotional Intelligence or EI, first articulated by Daniel Goleman. Unlike IQ, your EI can, and should continue to grow.

Here are 5 steps that will help you increase your EI and become a more authentic leader.

1. Explore Your Stories and Your Valleys – It is the tough times that make us who we are. They make us stronger and direct our paths. How has your journey made you who you are today? How can your story help your team better understand you and what you want to accomplish as a leader. Share your story with your people. What excites you. What scares you. Be transparent and they will most likely do the same.
2. Reflect – Get quiet and reflect on your priorities. Stop the urgent. When you keep your true priorities front and center, you will be leading from the heart.
3. Seek Feedback – Humble leaders seek feedback and do whatever it takes to get it. Honest feedback is hard to get once you inhabit the leadership seat. You have to ask for feedback from your people and make sure they can give it 100% anonymously. Then, act on it. Even if you cannot take an action on an item of feedback, recognize it, respond to it and let your team know why you cannot act on it.
4. Live Your Purpose, Vision and Values – Purpose, vision and values are at the core of everything I teach. If you do not live out your organizations’ purpose and values in pursuit of a great vision, how can you be authentic? How can your people decide if they want to be on your boat?
5. Tailor Your Style – Sometimes you will need to deliver hard news, other times you will need to inspire, engage and empower. With time and practice you will be able to play all of these roles with authenticity.

If you don’t follow nutrition news much, there are 3 key points to understand in this article:

1. The food industry has massive power in politics.
2. The food industry players use their power to sell you more food. This is often food that we find addictive (fats, sugars, caffeine). Their goal is not your health, but more sales.
3. Soda is bad for you – even if it is diet soda. As a Diet Mountain Dew fan (addict?), this is tough for me to take. Maybe the more times I hear the message, the more likely I will be to give up my no calorie caffeine boost!

Here’s wishing you a great rest of your week!

If we can ever help you on your journey to excellence, just drop me a line!

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to send me any feedback at cfowler@valuesdrivenresults.com.

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