Authentic (Integral) Leadership 

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of speaking to Business Leaders on the topic of "Authentic Leadership." 

American Statistic: Not just trust in government, but 7 out of 10 people have lost trust in each other (in general). Fully, 71% think interpersonal confidence has worsened in the past 20 years. 

PRINCIPLE: People have lost faith in people, business, family, ministry, politics. Why? This is ultimately due to a lack of authenticity, and lack of integrity. 

The values of "authenticity" and integrity are having a rebirth - especially in the area of business. 

Take notes from Japan! Japan's national motto at one time was "Only fools do things right" - or "the right way" (roughly translated). This philosophy essentially meant that if you could cut corners and compromise to get ahead, then you were the better and wiser person. 

Of course, this national philosophy greatly impacted the Japanese economy, especially when it came to exporting products to other countries. At that time there was an unfortunate expectation that if you purchased a Japanese product, that although it would look nice on the outside, the inside was bound to be of poor quality, and not last very long. 

However, after World War II, when Japan came under some level of American (Christian) influence, they adopted a new national motto, which was, "Treat others according to how you want them to treat you" (roughly translated). It was this shift that over the following 20 year period arguably caused the Japanese economy prosper to what it is today. Authentic and integral leadership has perhaps the most drastic systemic impact on nations - in all spheres. 

Defining Authenticity is related to: Truth and honesty, values, motivation (purpose), communication, and legacy. 

1. Motivation (purpose) What is it I'm called to do? Why am I getting up in the morning? Martin Luthor King knew. He was motivated by something. He had a plan. Motivation is "knowing your purpose."

2. Values (NON-NEGOTIABLES): transparency, truth, integrity, character, love, and principles. Not cutting corners...authenticity begins with PERSONAL integrity. Personal integrity begins with keeping the promises you made to yourself first. 

3. Legacy: Is about living so authentically that you leave something behind that others can pick up. 

It is having a mentality that the work begins today, but it's never completed because it goes on to the next generation. 

PRINCIPLE: Your authenticity is an investment in the next generation. 

Why is authenticity crucial to influence and living a fulfilled life?

Top 5 regrets connected to a lack of authenticity

5 wish they allowed themselves to be happy (true to themselves)

4 wish they kept in touch with their friends (authentic relationships)

3 wished they had the courage to express their feelings (true to themselves)

2 wish they hadn't worked so hard (what did I REALLY want to do)

1 wish they hadn't lived to please others...or according to how others wanted them to live.

Being authentic is about living a life true to yourself and your values - and this makes a connection with others.

Authentic: root word is "autos" - meaning "self."

Authenticity is not so much about being REAL, but TRULY being yourself. 

"Thetos" - meaning "thesis" 

The word "author"  - Authorship or originator of your story. You are your own author. You are writing your personal thesis. 

Here we see a picture of someone writing the thesis of who they truly are - therein lies their authentic leadership. 

PRINCIPLE: Your greatest authority comes from being who you really are.

PRINCIPLE: This begs the question..."who are you?"

1. I want to be a good husband, father

2. I want to be a successful speaker and builder of people's lives

3. I want to grow in my faith

4. I want to be consistent and faithful

5. I want to write books

6. I want to have fun and laugh freely

7. I want to feel free

8. I want to be rested

9. I want to feel good around people and make them feel good

10. I want to be famous to spread a message

11. I want to make history but not lose myself in that process

12. I want to change things

NOTE: Break these down to your top 2 or 3. You will discover some things about yourself.

Why do this?  Life does not get better by "chance" - life gets better by "change."

What about failure? This is why even failure is beneficial... because it's ok to discover who you are NOT. 

PRINCIPLE: When you discover who you are, you find out what you can do for others. And it attracts people to you.

Hurdles to overcome for true authenticity: 

1. It is hard to be the authentic you, when you won't let yourself BE yourself.

2. We hide our authentic self - we have insecurities. 

3. We fear people seeing who we really are. When you ACCEPT yourself, the fear of rejection fades away.

Why attempt this?

"Life does not get better by chance - life gets better by change."

Being courageous does not mean the absence of fear - but it means being courageous amidst fear.