What does it mean to be an authentic leader?
In today's times, it's about integrity and standing up for one's true values. Values that uphold the importance of community. Leadership that understands the importance of people, inside and outside of the company, and promotes respect and mutual cooperation. A leader, whose words and behaviors uphold human dignity, and believes in the success of others, not just in company profit alone.
To be real, a leader knows his or her values and consistently lives those values at work and home. Authentic leadership demands that leaders know themselves and live close to the core of who that are. Hopefully, they are genuinely rooted in more noble than selfish values that grow humanity and not stain or demolish it.
A leader who has the courage to speak up, even when it's unpopular, and who stares into the face of adversity and takes conscious steps to defeat it. Authentic leadership offers a strong vision for people to stand behind that aligns with their personal and professional best and with their own dignity.