Authenticity in a University Setting—A Pragmatic Approach
We have received three requests to lead a program on Authentic Leadership over the past month. When things come in threes, we take notice :)
It has been a fascinating dive into the literature on authenticity—what we know to be “true” about this topic and what is yet to be fully understood. It has been equally informative to survey workshop participants beforehand to get a sense of their challenges when it comes to “being authentic” within institutions of higher education. The biggest challenges that are emerging through these surveys are:
the desire to please others vs. being true to oneself
the fear of vulnerability
the sense of being “different” to everyone else
As we peel back the onion of authenticity, a more nuanced version of reality takes shape—no, you cannot be 100% yourself, 100% of the time [Herminia Barra explains this beautifully in The Authenticity Paradox]— there is a bigger, more expansive opportunity at the core of being one’s authentic self. At the heart of authenticity and being one’s true self lies a deeper question:
“Which self? The self I am today? My future self? Another self I have yet to imagine and explore?”
This question frees us up in many ways to get beyond the “Do I speak up in this meeting or not?” and grounds us in a more expansive and instructive question such as, “Who do I want to be, and what choice would that person make in this moment?”
It is for this reason we use the Carl Rogers’ definition of authenticity: “Being the author of one’s life”—and at the risk of highlighting the obvious, ideally our institutions of higher education would be leading the way in helping not only students but also faculty, staff, and managers with this developmental task. Sadly, this is not often the case. Too often, people are viewed as a burdensome line time to be reduced, rather than an untapped force of innovation and mission acceleration.
At the Academic Leadership Group, we believe that leadership is an act, not a position, and there is much that you can do as an individual to be the force for change within your team, division, or department. Here are three strategies for you to try:
1. Get Clear on Your Future Self. Google “future self visioning exercise” and you will find a myriad of resources. Try one that resonates with you (or email me if you would like me to send you my favorite). Without a North Star as your guide, you are much more likely to be swayed by the vagaries of whatever life is presenting. You have the ability to design, build, and live a life of your own choosing. Do you know what you are designing?
2. Take Small Steps. Once you are clear on your future self vision, what are the baby steps you can take TODAY towards making that self a reality? In my 1:1 coaching, I have noticed that people who allow themselves to dream really big and then take tiny steps with consistency towards those dreams are the most successful and fulfilled over time. Our human tendency is either to take really big steps and become overwhelmed by the sheer risk or to make the dream smaller and become demotivated by the lack of vision.
3. Take Small Steps. Yes, I’m repeating myself. But being authentic is a lifetime’s work. Who knows what your ideal self will look like 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Your only task is to treat it as building and maintaining an authenticity muscle—for the long term. The more you take action on a regular and consistent basis, the quicker that self will emerge, and the more grounded that self will be.
How will you know when you get there? The reality is there is no finish line. Human potential is limitless and your best self will evolve continuously over time. It may even feel like you are going backward before you go forward. It’s why it’s important to view and hold this work as a journey, not a destination. You will realize, probably in hindsight, that you now sharing contrary views in meetings and your sense of self is not feeling threatened. You are making more and more choices based on conscious values, not on pleasing others, perhaps you are ending toxic relationships and starting healthy ones. The path is not linear, but rather an iterative spiral—a path where you will meet yourself over and over, a self that is ever more grounded and ever more free.