Years ago I was zapped from a job I dearly loved, not because I was incompetent, but rather I zigged and zagged in the relationship with my boss. In the weeks that elapsed, I mastered martyrdom and was the poster boy for being a victim. Eventually I emerged from the fog of upset with the life-changing realization that I was the author and architect of my dismissal. Bottom line: why should he endorse me, if I was unwilling to support and endorse him. I operated independently and was consistently too confrontive. Stupid and arrogant, I know . . . .
Clearly, I had not been operating authentically by blaming my boss. However, once I assumed total accountability for my derailment, my life and career trajectory took off. I discovered that authenticity is a critically important mindset to career success and managing your emotions. World-class leaders are open, congruent, transparent, and fully expressed, while taking complete responsibility for their impact, intended or unintended. I clearly learned this profound truth the hard way.
From that moment to today, my life’s (and R|L’s) mission has been to introduce the power of living an authentic life in organizations, globally. So, I ask you:
- What are the PROS and CONS of your behaving authentically?
- How might being authentic lead to enhanced trust in all your relationships?
- How can you be more authentic, more of the time?
- What might the positive P&L impact be if you operated fully authentically?
Written By: Clyde C. Lowstuter
