AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

Authentic leadership is a contemporary leadership style, formulated in 2003, by Bill George. The basic
idea behind the theory is that leaders are supposed to be “real” and genuine. This theory has four major
constructs:

TR U ST E T H IC S S E R V A N T S H IP M E N T O R IN G

1. TRUST:

Trust is a firm belief in the character, strength, and values of someone or something.

How is trust developed?

a) Integrity: refers to honesty and truthfulness. It’s the consistency between what one says and does.
b) Benevolence: refers to the good intentions towards the followers and the presence of warmth, care,
decency, kindness and friendliness.
c) Ability: an individual’s knowledge and skills. If one doesn’t have the abilities or skills to carry out a
task, then benevolence and integrity will be of no use.

Consequences of trust:

a) Trust encourages to take risks. It includes exploring new methods of doing tasks which can lead to
better solutions and enhanced performance.
b) Trust facilitates information sharing. Sharing detailed feedbacks and information is helpful for the
organization.
c) Trustworthy groups are more effective. Team members help each other and put in extra effort.
d) Trust enhances productivity. A trustworthy work environment facilitates motivation towards higher
productivity.

2. ETHICS:
Ethics refers to the correct rules of conduct and moral responsibility in terms of rights, obligations
and fairness. Ethics and leadership intersect at many junctures. For example:
a) When leaders try to change the attitudes and behaviors of followers.
b) Use of power in the right way to influence followers.
 c) Taking help of subordinates in order to meet organisational goals.
d) Setting realistic goals for employees and provide positive reinforcement.
e)
3. SERVANTSHIP:
It means going beyond one’s own self-interest and focus on helping followers grow and develop. It has
following features:
a) They don’t use power, instead they use persuasion.
b) Includes listening, empathizing, and developing followers’ potential.
c) Focus is on the wellbeing of the followers.

Effects of servantship:

a) Higher levels of commitment and self-efficacy.

b) Followers are more dutiful and responsible.
c) Growth and advancement, which leads to higher levels of creative performance.

4. MENTORING:
Mentoring is a relationship between two or more persons interested in enhancing their knowledge,
skills or abilities via a helping relationship. It has two types- career mentoring & psychological
mentoring.

Career Mentoring Psychological Mentoring

1. Helping them take on more difficult and 1. Counseling the protégé to boost his
conspicuous tasks. or her self-confidence
2. Coaching to help develop his skills and achieve 2. Sharing personal experiences with
work objectives the protégé
3. Providing exposure within the organization 3. Providing friendship and
4. Protecting them from possible risks to reputation acceptance
5. Sponsoring them by nominating him or her for 4. Acting as a role model
promotions
6. Being an active listener
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP PROS & CONS:

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Able to maintain trust and cohesion among the Newest leadership theory with no empirical
group validity
 Ability to build positive and rewarding Leader’s values may not always align with
relationships organization’s values as the latter focuses majorly
on the goals and produce.

Tends to guarantee the ethical and moral standards Might hinder an organization’s ability to make
quick decisions.

Makes followers feel valued and heard Trust and mentoring take years to develop

EXAMPLES OF SOME AUTHENTIC LEADERS:

 Martin Luther king,
 Eleanor Roosevelt,
 Barack Obama,
 Mahatma Gandhi,
 Nelson Mandela