Why Authenticity?
Combining an Integrated Style of Leadership Starts From the Inside-Out
Thanks for indulging me a moment of your time. (time to read: 90 seconds)
Feeling the chaos? There’s actually an acronym used to describe the Volatility, Uncertainty, Change and Ambiguity we are experiencing in our business and economic climate, VUCA.
It’s time to Grow, Change, or get out of the way!
As a Leader, your role is balancing being a visionary, trustworthy, confident and courageous, while leading your team or organization To, Through or For change and growth. Authenticity is key to all of the leadership traits and actually pushes competencies to the next level. Yet, a lack of Authenticity? Drains the energy from all you are trying to do. It’s that important!
Yet most leadership development and culture assessments measure and point to Outer Game plans (structure, trainings, talent management systems) to create change for a leader or organization. The work that is needed is the Inner Game. The underlying tendencies or issues that have created the current reality of leadership style, both individually and collectively, are what holds back an estimated 80% of individuals and companies who are implementing change management. Do you really want to stay where you are? I doubt it.
Please allow me to (re-)introduce myself.
I’m Deborah LeeAnn: Speaker, Trainer and Paradigm-Shifter.
And whether we’ve met recently at a conference or a networking event, or we go back decades in our history of working together, here’s an update on where my journey has taken me and the launch of a new business – training, speaking and mentoring 
Authentic Leadership.
After many years of consulting, mostly in the area of organizational development, training and human resources, I found myself at a crossroads. How to be Authentic, truly revealing my full array of strengths, passions, and brilliance. Openly sharing from a genuine, honest, open and loving space.
It was not easy.
I worried (still do, to be honest) what people would think of me.
Yet, I was not able to continue acting like I was a certain way and hiding my spiritual or emotional sides. Integrating them all seemed like the easiest route (much to the dismay of some well-meaning business coaches and mentors) yet ended up being the most arduous journey I’ve ever been on.
We see those who radiate their brilliance on stage or in a meeting and we wonder, is it easy for her to be so true and real? She seems so courageous! And confident! How did she get to be so comfortable in her skin? I want what she has!
Authenticity actually not only shines from the individual, it gives us permission to be our most authentic, real selves too!
And, our discernment with all the media sources bombarding us is to search out what sounds true? What messages feel good? Which ones create a visceral sense in our gut? What images or people touch our heart?
Those are the stirrings of our Authentic Self. When we feel, hear, taste, sense and sigh with the essence of something that hits home.
Why is it important in leadership? Because those we are leading can sense when we are on mission, passionate and committed, or off our game, in our own doubt, self-critical and fearful.
We need to play full out. Authentically. And it’s easier said than done.
So, after much dancing between what I wanted to be and how I wanted to show up with how I actually was showing up, my journey with Authentic Leadership was begun. Now came the gathering of feedback, lots of coaching and deep inner work, to get to the place of congruity. Alignment. And Authenticity. It’s not an end-game. It’s a journey.
Hence why we need outside support to facilitate and guide the process.
Authentic Leadership is the outcome of my own personal and professional journey, with the addition of years of coaching, trainings, experience and mentoring.
Authentic Leadership will have 2 arms;
Authentic Leadership Consulting with organizations ready to really step up their game in conscious, forward-thinking, change leadership, while developing an inclusive culture and creating a wider social impact through collective leadership and collaboration.
Authentic Leadership Academy is training, developing and masterminding with individual women leaders. (It’s open to all, while being designed for women) This 6 month program will take leadership development up several notches by focusing beyond outer competencies and game plan to expand each participant’s reach to expand her influence and impact while deepening into the inner game of leadership. Self-Awareness of where each of us gets stuck and holds us back from living, leading and loving from our most authentic, brilliant Selves.
We are in the midst of unprecedented change requiring us to lead from a newly found groundedness and more integrated center. When we show up as self-aware and courageous authentic leaders clear in our visions, we create the community… the connections … and the trust we need and desire to get our big work done in the world.
Lastly, I’d love to know where YOU are. What’s on your plate for 2017? 2018? Beyond? Is your vision maxed out or in need of refreshing? Are you ready to grow your business or initiative to the next level and in need of support to get there? How is your collective leadership? Are you ready to lead to, through, and for change? Where are you stuck? Have you had a 360 in a while? Time for a culture 360?
I hope we cross paths soon. If you’d like to schedule some time for a call or cup of coffee to continue the conversation, here’s a link to my calendar.
Comments? Questions? Please share!
Or, feel free to email me at Deborah@DeborahLeeAnn.com or give me a call at 314.800.7694.
