Leading with Authenticity
In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, true leadership qualities have taken on new dimensions. In a recent episode of my podcast, Nuggets With Sauce, I dove into a candid conversation with Jared Gibson, an entrepreneur and expert in sales and marketing, exploring the importance of an authentic approach to leadership, leading with curiosity, and navigating the changing dynamics of platforms like LinkedIn. Here are the highlights with insights on building trust, overcoming obstacles, and the transformative power of embracing one's authentic self.
Jared’s Recommended Read is "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. He highlighted the book's timeless relevance, delving into historical examples of individuals overcoming massive obstacles to achieve success. The stoic philosophy of embracing challenges and overcoming them serves as a powerful reminder to face life's hurdles with resilience and determination.
Nugget #1: Find Your "Why"
Jared shared a pivotal moment in his leadership journey when his team engaged in a collective exploration of their "why" after reading Simon Sinek's book, “Start With Why”. He proudly displays his personal mission next to his computer, emphasizing the importance of defining one's purpose. For Jared, it's about bringing gifts into the world through laughter and sparking innovation to foster a mindset of positivity and growth. (NOTE: If you haven’t already checked out all the great leadership thinking of Simon Sinek, I highly recommend you do!)
Nugget #2: LinkedIn Strategies
Getting down to business matters, Jared shared his insights into effective LinkedIn strategies – after all, that’s what his company’s all about. To do well here, you need to lead with curiosity and treat LinkedIn as a business networking platform rather than a place for immediate pitches. (Amen to that!) We highlighted the importance of authenticity in communication – we want you to speak authentically and reconsider messages that don't align with your natural tone. Let’s face it, if it doesn’t sound like you when speaking, it’s going to land badly when written because it creates dissonance in how you show up.
Nugget #3: The Human Side of LinkedIn
Reflecting on the changing dynamics of LinkedIn, we touched on how humanizing it is when we share personal experiences. Our remote and hybrid work environments have blurred the lines between our personal and professional lives. While certain authentic shares are welcomed, it’s important to maintain a balance and avoid oversharing. Nobody wants to be hit with all your gory details or TMI.
Nugget #4: Leadership and Authenticity
We circled back to leadership principles and stressed the importance and value of leading with vulnerability and curiosity. Jared shared a personal experience of working with a leader who prioritized understanding and supporting their team over self-promotion. Back to Simon Sinek again, we agreed that what great leaders keep in mind is to “be the leader you wish you had”. Doing this means being encouraged (and courageous) in self-reflection and a commitment to your own continuous improvement.
Nugget #5: Avoid Burnout
These days, burnout is a major issue and we explored one of its leading indicators – consistent engagement in unfulfilling tasks. Individuals and leaders can proactively address burnout by better aligning tasks with personal strengths and interests. Acknowledging and addressing root causes can prevent broader organizational issues impacting culture and satisfaction.
The overarching theme of our conversation was to focus on authentic leadership development, whether in personal missions, LinkedIn and networking strategies, or navigating the challenges of the professional world. Consider this a roadmap for embracing authenticity, leading with curiosity, and creating environments that foster trust, growth, and meaningful connections.