Qualities of Authentic Leadership: A Detailed Analysis of Traits

This essay provides an overview of authentic leadership, defining it as genuine and sincere leadership that positively influences people towards a common goal. It uses Bill George’s authentic leadership model to classify the five key characteristics of an authentic leader: purpose, values, relationships, self-discipline, and good nature. The essay elaborates on each of these traits, explaining how authentic leaders are intrinsically motivated, uphold strong moral values, nurture relationships through open communication, maintain focus and determination through self-discipline, and demonstrate compassion and concern for their teams. The conclusion emphasizes that these qualities collectively demonstrate an authentic leader's passion, positive behavior, connectedness, consistency, and compassion.

Running Head: Authentic Leader

Authentic Leader
What does Authentic Leader includes?
A leader is the one who positively influences people or group of people in accomplishment of a
common goal. Authentic Leader are the ones who are genuine, real and sincere towards their
work. They are true to who they really are in the personal as well as profession life. People who
are having authentic leadership type of style are said to inspire people, strengthen loyalty and
generate strong performance from their team mates. These kinds of leader are believed to
produce good and sometimes excellent results from their genuine persona (Covelli and Mason,
2017).
There are a number of traits that defines the character of an authentic leader being genuine,
focused, guided by morals, disciplined etc. Using the Bill George’s authentic leadership model,
one can easily classify the characteristics of an authentic leader. The model signifies the five
characteristics traits or dimensions which signifies the qualities of an authentic leader which are:
Purpose: Authentic leaders are said to possess a sense of purpose in them, which helps them in
concentrating where they are and where they are heading towards. They are motivated
intrinsically and they know their purpose, what they are doing. Being able to figure out the best
possible way and brainstorming new ideas are the traits that perfectly define an authentic leader
(Leavy, 2015).
Values: These leaders push themselves and other people so that excellence towards work can be
attained. They don’t compromise with their values and also ensure that the work is done
according to the defined policy. They value their work and avoid any type of shortcuts in work
which is against
the work culture.
It is ensured
Organization Behavior

Authentic Leader
that the work done is in best interest of the clients and this quality is visible clearly through his
behavior (Leavy, 2016).
Relationships: These leaders emphasizes on the basic principles that nurture relations with the
subordinates. They are good in building long term relationships with people and also consider
open communication in the workplace. They can easily develop bonds with each other and are
willing to educate a person by sharing their experience and learn by the person’s own experience.
At one time, they talk about their work and their personal lives and on the other hand, they are
willing to listen to other people’s lives as well.
Self-Disciplined: An important aspect by which one can easily identify an authentic leader is
discipline. This is the trait that helps the leader in getting focused and being more determined
towards the work. They have the ability to set their target and put their efforts and perseverance
in recklessly moving towards their target. It develops a sense of consistency in them.
Good nature: Lastly, the most important characteristic is that authentic leaders have heart and are
compassionate towards others. They are willing to help and are available in case of any need.
They are often connected with people emotionally to learn and show their concern towards their
teams and also provide inputs at each stage (Leroy et al., 2015).
All these qualities are included in an authentic leader which shows their passion, behavior with
people, feeling of connectedness, consistency and feeling of compassion towards all.

Authentic Leader
References
Covelli, B.J. and Mason, I., 2017. Linking Theory to Practice: Authentic Leadership. Academy of
Strategic Management Journal, 16(3), pp.1-10.
Leavy, B., 2015. Bill George: the era of self-serving leadership is over but global markets pose
the next authenticity challenge for leaders. Strategy & Leadership, 43(6), pp.25-32.
Leavy, B., 2016. Effective leadership today–character not just competence. Strategy &
Leadership, 44(1), pp.20-29.
Leroy, H., Anseel, F., Gardner, W.L. and Sels, L., 2015. Authentic leadership, authentic
followership, basic need satisfaction, and work role performance: A cross-level study. Journal of
Management, 41(6), pp.1677-1697.