Wearing a mask is exhausting and keeps you from truly connecting with others.
Perfectionism can be toxic for a successful leader. We live in a world where perfection is often praised and strived for, but the truth is that it can hinder our growth and hold us back from taking risks. Being a successful leader requires the ability to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. It’s essential to acknowledge that we are all human, and mistakes are inevitable. In fact, perfection = disconnection, meaning if you are trying to be perfect you can’t truly connect with people.
Another important subject we discussed is the idea that connection drives results. When we wear a “mask” and try to be someone we’re not, we expend a great deal of energy trying to maintain that facade. This ultimately prevents us from genuinely connecting with others, which can negatively impact our personal and professional relationships. Authenticity is essential to building trust, and building trust is critical to developing strong relationships.
Embracing our natural talents and strengths is key to becoming an effective leader. Authenticity enables us to lead with empathy, compassion, and understanding, all of which are vital traits for effective leadership. When we are true to ourselves, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and growth. Embracing who we are can help build stronger relationships and foster more meaningful and impactful interactions in the workplace.
Being yourself is critical to unlocking your full potential and achieving success, whether you are a leader or a follower. It’s crucial to remember that we are all unique individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. So, embrace your natural strengths and talents, lead authentically, and prioritize connection in all that you do.
Listen in to hear more about Leading with Authenticity
In this episode of Anxiety at Work, Dr. Michelle K. Johnston, author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership, discusses the significance of being true to oneself, embracing one’s talents, and leading authentically.
Anxiety at Work, hosted by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, offers insights and advice to reduce anxiety at work and in your personal life. In this practical podcast, some of the world’s leading authorities on mental health explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety and the practices that have be proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm.
Adrian Gostick is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who provides advice to some of the world’s most successful organizations on building culture, managing change, and leading high-performance teams. He is founder of the workplace training and consulting company The Culture Works. His award-winning books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies around the world. In 2021, Adrian was ranked as a top 10 Global Guru in Leadership and Organizational Culture. As an executive coach, he is a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s MG100 ‘Pay it Forward’ Coaching Cohort. His consulting clients include Danaher, Bank of America, Cisco, Rolls Royce, and Procter & Gamble.
Chester Elton has spent two decades helping clients engage their employees to execute on strategy, vision, and values. In his provocative, inspiring, and always-entertaining speeches, the #1 bestselling leadership author provides real solutions to leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation, and lead a multi-generational workforce. Elton’s work is supported by research with more than 1 million working adults, revealing the proven secrets behind high-performance cultures and teams. Chester has been called the “apostle of appreciation” by Canada’s Globe and Mail, “creative and refreshing‚” by the New York Times, and a “must read for modern managers” by CNN.