3. E7 S6 AUTHENTIC LEADERS- WHAT ARE THEY? WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME ONE - LISA ASKWITH- ENGAGING YOUR PEOPLE FOR SUCCESS

The world revolves around relationships.  In business we have key relationships with our customers, suppliers, bankers, management team, and employees.  How you navigate the relationships present different challenges, and not everyone is an expert on managing those challenges. As the business owner or leader, navigating your relationship with your management team, and employees is key to your future success. Not just in terms of ‘getting on’ well with everyone, but in terms of ensuring your business is capitalising from its biggest asset, its people!  Focussing on becoming an Authentic leader, or developing Authentic Leadership in your business gives you a positive influence over your key people areas, such as Culture, Innovation, Business Growth and Talent Retention. When your people trust and believe in you, and they feel valued, you will have much higher levels of engagement and hence success, both professionally and from a revenue perspective. Your people want leaders they can relate to and feel that their values line up with theirs, and that is why developing your authenticity is so critical to your overall leadership success and ability.  Authentic leadership is one of the most important leadership traits of an exceptional leader, especially as we navigate a fast paced and uncertain workplace, it is also one of the most enjoyable forms of leadership style, both for the leader themselves and the people they inspire. So why wouldn't you want to include this is your leadership tool kit?