Be Real

A great challenge I find leaders often navigate is how much focus do I put on the business side of my role with holding a tension of how personal do I be to colleagues and employees?

We are human, and human needs of identity, autonomy and affinity play out in every setting we are in.  We also know that not all personalities gel or mix as well with others which can make organizational settings challenging and can tax the culture.

So what can leaders do to help set the culture and the tone?

Leaders Behaviors and Mindsets will always mirror one another. If a culture of honesty, care, vulnerability, authenticity, compassion, genuineness, hard work and anything else you want to add to the list is a value…the leader has to model both behavior and mindset.

To do that don’t create conceptual environments.  Don’t create false narratives of what the organization is. 

Be Real.

Acknowledge pain you hear about it

Acknowledge hardships that are happening

Create moments of fun that are consistent

Slow down your schedule so you can take 5 extra minutes to talk casually

Over communicate

Empathize 

As a leader how much you share, how you share, what you model is appropriate to do in the organization, the rhythm you set will all set healthy boundaries for you, your staff and the future of where you are going .

When you lead from a place of authenticity and vulnerability it is not weakness. It’s human. 

It’s real.