Authenticity is a common buzzword in modern business. Everyone claims to be genuine, but definitions may vary between individuals and organizations. Our search specialists view authenticity as a culmination of specific qualities rather than a set definition or characteristic.

First and foremost, authentic leaders demonstrate self-awareness. They have a good sense of their strengths and, conversely, where they need to improve their behavior or performance. Though they recognize their personal accomplishments, their overall view is broader. One of the benefits of authentic leadership is the recognition that individual contributions are not the sole source of achievement and advancement, but rather one piece of a collective effort to accomplish team and enterprise goals and objectives.

Authentic leaders also possess and display high emotional intelligence. The most effective leaders understand and manage their emotions while still being able to establish empathy toward others. Their work is not transactional — they’re ready and willing to listen to and care about everyone in an organization. 

A strong code of ethics is yet another component of success. Rather than focusing solely on the bottom line, genuine leaders will find the most ethical and responsible way to an objective and outcome. Collective benefits are often their primary concern — their attention goes beyond the senior level to ensure all stakeholders move forward. 

Lastly, modesty is critical to authenticity. Authentic leaders are not striving to be a rockstar. Instead, they recognize that their guidance should foster trust, collaboration, and growth. Despite leadership status, they are open-minded, receptive, and acknowledge the contributions of those around them. 

Organizational cultures often start from the top down. One of the benefits of authentic leadership is establishing a precedent where interpersonal relationships are valued and conducive to growth. Their presence creates a psychologically safe environment where employees feel secure in voicing ideas, struggles, and experiences. 

The workplace atmosphere is a fundamental factor in business trajectory. In fact, a study by the Center for Creative Leadership found that teams with high degrees of psychological safety reported higher levels of performance and lower levels of interpersonal conflict. Ultimately, these leaders create a positive environment for their workforce — leading to more effective teaming, responsible problem-solving, success, and other long-term benefits.

When discovering your authentic leadership style, you must note that it is not enough to “act” authentic. Performative behaviors will be quickly seen through, as it is not sustainable. Genuine leaders must walk the walk by addressing problems and change holistically.

At Ksquared Search, we use our expertise to help organizations reap the benefits of authentic leadership. To do so, we thoroughly vet each candidate’s background through one-on-one conversations. 

One of the primary indicators of an authentic leader is their explanation of how and why they are successful. Here, their answers say it all. Authentic candidates often cite the contributions of those around them. They realize that no accomplishment occurs without the insights, guidance, and/or heavy lifting of others.

Effective candidates will also demonstrate transparency and honesty in conversation. Rather than depicting themselves as flawless, genuine people are transparent about their successes, failures, regrets, and anxieties. They’re also willing to paint a transparent picture of how they feel about current and previous positions and managers. 

Each candidate needs to feel resoundingly real — luckily, our team has firsthand experience discovering your authentic leadership candidates. The Ksquared Search team guides you through your search for an authentic executive. Contact us to get started today.