Artificial Versus Authentic Leadership
I would like to dispel a myth and expose a great deception occurring in our country, both in businesses and government. What looks like power is often not authentic power. What we see in many leaders today is actually an artificial attempt to appear powerful. Many people today are masquerading as leaders, when in fact; they are operating from insecurity and fear. Sometimes it is helpful to understand authentic power by looking at what is not power. The traits of artificial power are:
- A need for external props to validate a powerful image.
- Decision making that benefits a few at the top rather than all people.
- Arrogance and grandiosity.
- Lack of compassion and understanding for others.
- One-upmanship or overcoming other people.
- A need to be right and have all the answers.
