Leadership and power are often closely related, but they are not the same thing. While power often leads to domination, authentic leadership is based on influencing and inspiring people to voluntarily work towards a common goal. The traditional approach to leadership, which is focused on traditional motivators like punishment, salaries, and promotions, often creates an environment that repels talent, leads to unhappiness and dissatisfaction, and increases employee turnover.
The key to effective leadership is to define and limit the type of power that leaders need. By removing oppression and creating a culture of legitimacy and acceptance, leaders can become authentic and build a supportive, positive, and motivated workplace.
More and more, companies are focusing on people and their needs, using humanistic practices to create an authentic leadership style that provides competitive advantages. This type of leadership has been shown to be especially effective in generating commitment among employees, and it's all about understanding their needs and adapting the work plan to suit them.
Authentic leaders generate motivation and engagement by understanding the needs of their team and adapting their work plans to meet those needs. They have a positive impact on the activities and organization, help their team reach their goals, and distribute power and responsibility among all members. The real challenge for both small and large businesses today is to develop appropriate organizational structures that effectively and ethically use leadership and management.
In conclusion, as Lao Tzu once said, “To lead people, walk behind them.” For further reading on the topic, consider the following books:
- “The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
- “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
- “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don't” by Jim Collins
- “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek
- “The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries
- “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink
- “The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life” by Robin Sharma
- “The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential” by John C. Maxwell
- “The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail” by Clayton M. Christensen
- “Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan.
