Stop Striking a Pose! It's Time to Lead with Authenticity in 2024

As #leaders, we have various expectations of #employees in the #workplace. No matter their position, I think it is fair to say we expect all employees to use sound decision-making when solving problems, demonstrate respect for themselves and others in the virtual or physical office, and exhibit effective communication skills in general, but especially when engaged in difficult conversations - just to name a few. We also expect employees to live the values of the organization when they show up for work, and with the aid of social media, we have come to expect them to display our standards in public places. My concern is this, asking employees to model these behaviors is within our right (although some might argue that what happens after work hours is their business), but as leaders we do not always show up the way we expect them to in the workplace, and that is a problem. 

In 2024, it is incumbent upon us as leaders to ensure we are leading with authenticity on and off camera. We can no longer go into a closed room and engage in unhealthy/unproductive discussions about employees but give them feedback for exhibiting the same behaviors in an open room. We must cease behaviors where we provide evaluative versus descriptive feedback to and about our employees, as these behaviors can bias others’ thoughts about those individuals, and can result in a lack of equitable opportunities and treatment of them on the job. Let me call out that I am not bashing us as leaders. My goal is to call us to accountability so we consistently exemplify the behaviors we expect of others as we lead in the new year. Take time to answer the questions below to determine if you are “striking a pose” as a leader, and consider what you are going to do about it: 

• Do you smile in an employee’s face (virtually or in-person), but you really do not like them? 

• Are you avoiding this person as much as possible while actively building relationships with others on the team?

• Do you berate them personally or to other leaders during private meetings? 

• Do you treat them “coldly” during 1x1’s, just wanting to get through the conversation?

• Can you objectively assess their performance without your personal feelings getting involved?

• Do you give that employee the same opportunities for growth and development as others?

• Are you reflecting on your feelings about the individual and challenging your point of view to see them from a different perspective?

• If there is a legitimate performance or behavioral concern with that person, do you approach the conversation as you would a high-performer or are they guilty until proven innocent?

• Are you looking for ways to “get them” or “help them”?

• Are you as invested in their success as you are in others on the team?

• If someone could read your thoughts about that individual, what would they hear?

Listen, I know this might be tough to face, but the honor of people leadership means holding ourselves to a higher set of standards in the workplace. Yes, we will make mistakes, and no this is not about being perfect. It is about exhibiting the kind of behaviors we want others to demonstrate, whether the camera is rolling or not. All the training in the world does us no good if we are not willing to get real with ourselves and grow our areas of weakness as leaders. I did not write this to you only, I wrote it for us! This charge is for me also, so do not think I am pointing my virtual finger at you. 

Let's start 2024 off right! Make it your goal to become a greater leader of your team by becoming a greater leader of yourself this year. We cannot lead with our full potential if we are not leading with authenticity. 

Sabrina Smith is the Founder & CEO of PROGENY1, LLC, a leadership development, training, and coaching company. If you are looking for actionable insights to develop professionally and personally, subscribe to our blog. It's free! You will not receive more than four articles per month.

If you want to learn how PROGENY1, LLC can partner with you or your organization to propel your performance results, email us at: Sabrina@Progeny1.Training.