Amjad AliSenior Business Analyst - Information Security| IFCDelta, British Columbia, Canada
I came across a very interesting article on a business insider post. The title was "5 clear signs you 're not an authentic leader". You may be able to search the title on internet and get to the original article.
It was an interesting read. She gives 5 signs…or should I say, clear signs
1. You spend too much time talking about how busy you are - Stop wearing your busyness badge.
2. You send fancy communications or 'on behalf of' emails - People don’t read them. People don’t want fancy marketing words; they just want to hear from you like a human.
3. You're a different person in the boardroom than the breakroom - be that leader … everywhere. Not just in meeting rooms.
4. You do more talking than listening - your job isn't to know all the answers. Your job is to ask the right questions.
5. You preach work-life balance but then don't have it yourself - Stop talking about work-life balance. Demonstrate it. People don't follow your words — they follow your actions.
According to the article, those are clear signs of un-authentic leaders. Do you agree that above are indeed clear signs of “not an authentic leader”? What would you add or explain differently. Saving Changes...
Alexandre CostaScrum Master| Integer Consulting - Pictet technologiesLoures, Portugal
Amjad,
This are in fact signs, some more important than others , but there are other important situations that send you clear signs that the person is not acting as a leader could let some as example:
1 - You don't care about how others are feeling. 2 - You don't treat everyone equally despite how you feel. 3 - The team are responsible for all that goes wrong. 4 - You are not approachable.
and there are a lot more signs that I could enumerate.
Alexandre
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1 reply by Amjad Ali
Feb 22, 2020 12:48 AM
Amjad Ali
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Alexandre – thank you for the additional items. I agree that all of these are indeed clear signs. Clear signs would be something that is visible outside for anyone to notice.
Those definitely should show some more than others. Very good contributions. The item #4 seems to manifest itself in different forms, would you say.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Amjad
Interesting these points and your question
Thanks for sharing
5 important points covered in the article
Talking more than listening, talking more than asking are two signs of little interest in others
"Do what I say, don't do what I do" is the worst that a leader can do
There are more points that can be addressed, such as not trusting people Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
The important thing is not what you think, is what the people around you think.
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1 reply by Amjad Ali
Feb 22, 2020 12:51 AM
Amjad Ali
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So true Sergio, and when I look at Kiron's item #1, if surrounded by Yes men/women, this would get really murky and signals would not be clear.
But totally agree that a leader is defined by how others perceive one rather than ones own self belief.
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Good point, Sergio.
If your self image matches largely to what others observe, you have less blind spots for yourself and others see your behaviors as close to your „real“ person.
The Johari window model says we can extend our authenticity by asking for feedback and disclosing our thoughts and exposing ourselves (e.g. by admitting mistakes).
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1 reply by Amjad Ali
Feb 22, 2020 12:56 AM
Amjad Ali
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Thank you Thomas,
I agree with the Johari window. However, I have also seen this fail at times when people giving the feedback have something to gain by telling one things that will get them past the current situation.
I joke about situations where a wife would ask a husband, "Do I look fat in this outfit?" Do you think the husband would give the correct answer? What is the correct answer....perhaps one that will maybe keep him off the couch:)
Johari window is excellent when everyone is candid....I think it is excellent for self discovery. But with a grain of salt.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Nice share, Amjad. Thank you. Certainly, any, or all of those traits are not helping the team's confidence in one as a [servent] leader. What is vitally important is connection and listening. Too often we confuse thinking about what we're going to say as listening. Saving Changes...
1. You surround yourself with "Yes men/women"
2. You don't demonstrate good judgment
Kiron
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2 replies by Amjad Ali and Anton Oosthuizen
Feb 16, 2020 11:42 PM
Anton Oosthuizen
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Great point 1 - something we actually find quite a lot at bigger companies. A weak 'leader' does not want people around who can/may/will question them, they want only those who agree with them. And then they are mistakenly seen as 'leaders' from the outside because they have a following. This is the root cause for systematic unethical management that becomes part of the company DNA.
Feb 22, 2020 1:05 AM
Amjad Ali
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Thank you Kiron, point 1 is so common. I don't know which is worse, the poor leader or the yes men and women. But this is definitely hurting the organizations where such culture exists.
I agree sometimes people are just assuming leadership positions where decisions are made without regard for the best route...okay we got a decision so lets do it...
Those are great insights. Thank you.
Saving Changes...
Latoya BouldinBusiness Program / Project Manager| USAASan Antonio, Tx, United States
This is a good read. It’s interesting how this trickles down from leader to team more often than not. A team will model the characteristics of the leader. Which is an unfortunate outcome for this particular type of leader. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Amjad
Good points and yes I agree except maybe for point 3. Sometimes you have to be a leader inside the meeting room but a friend in the break room - Striking a professional balance enhances team spirit. At least that’s my experience.
RK Saving Changes...
Anton OosthuizenSenior Business Analyst / Project Manager| Self EmployedPretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Feb 16, 2020 9:37 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Amjad -
I would add:
1. You surround yourself with "Yes men/women"
2. You don't demonstrate good judgment
Kiron
Great point 1 - something we actually find quite a lot at bigger companies. A weak 'leader' does not want people around who can/may/will question them, they want only those who agree with them. And then they are mistakenly seen as 'leaders' from the outside because they have a following. This is the root cause for systematic unethical management that becomes part of the company DNA. Saving Changes...
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