To a great extent, your leadership style is an active choice you make. Taking the time to think about your authentic style and what you want to be known for is an important first step in actively developing your abilities to succeed in this role.
Researchers have yet to produce a clear profile of the ideal leader, notes the Harvard Business Review article, Discovering Your Authentic Leadership. As Amgen CEO and president Kevin Sharer explains, “Leadership has many voices. You need to be who you are, not emulate somebody else.”
Having spoke with people aged 23 to 93, the authors found that respondents did not identify any universal characteristics, traits, skills or styles that led to their success. “Rather, their leadership emerged from their life stories.”
Therefore, the results suggest uncovering your authentic leadership demands a commitment to developing yourself. According to the HBR authors, this means demonstrating a passion for your purpose, practicing your values consistently, and leading with your heart as well as your head. Authentic leaders “establish long-term, meaningful relationships and have the self-disciple to get results.”
