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The Authentic Leader

"Authentic leaders genuinely desire to serve others through their leadership.  They are more interested in empowering the people they lead to make a difference than they are in power, money, or prestige for themselves.  They are as guided by qualities of the heart, by passion and compassion, as they are by qualities of the mind.

Authentic leaders are not born that way.  Many people have natural leadership gifts, but they have to develop them fully to become outstanding leaders.  Authentic leaders use their natural abilities, but they also recognize their shortcomings and work hard to overcome them.  They lead with purpose, meaning, and values.  They build enduring relationships with people.  Others follow them because they know where they stand.  They are consistent and self-disciplined.  When their principles are tested, they refuse to compromise.  Authentic leaders are dedicated to developing themselves because they know that becoming a leader takes a lifetime of personal growth (George, 2003, p. 12)."

Are you an authentic leader?

Reference:  George, W. (2003).  Authentic leadership: rediscovering the secrets to creating lasting value.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.

Authentic Leadership is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  To borrow this resource or any other resource please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???

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Created: 2008-04-03, Updated: 2009-01-09