The workplace today is uncertain at best and too often permeated with insecurity, power struggles, ego drama, gossip, discrimination and fear. Research indicates that people who are unhappy at work don’t work productively or creatively, don’t refer business, and don’t provide good customer service. In addition, dissatisfied employees are not loyal, leading to high turnover. When there are layoffs, the surviving employees are insecure and worried about the other shoe dropping.
A huge unrecognized cost occurs when leadership does not operate from authentic power. Providing a healthy, emotionally satisfying workplace environment is good business. Employees who are honored and respected operate with integrity, creativity and commitment. My audiences all over the country, from all industries, and at all levels describe the lack of integrity, honesty, respect and compassion occurring in their workplace. The problem is critical and people are crying out for a change. That energy drain on human potential hits the bottom line.
Authentic leadership cannot be feigned or contrived. The very essence of authentic leadership is that it is genuine. You cannot fake authenticity. If you look at the traits possessed by great leaders who span the test of time, you will see they have the qualities that are quite different from the artificial leaders.
