What Are The Attributes Of An Authenthic Leader?

What does being authenthic really mean? It starts by being transparent to your leadership team. This can be difficult, because we all have our shortcomings and flaws, and the last thing we want is to expose those - especially to someone we're supposed to be leading. But your level of authenticity and transparency will be reflected in the leaders you lead. So if you want honesty from them, you need to give them honesty.

Below are some key attributes of authentic leaders - FEEL FREE TO ADD THE ATTRIBUTES YOU LOOK FOR IN AN AUTHENTIC AND TRANSPARENT LEADER:

- They have no hidden agendas, once the leaders underneath you begin to sense that you're keeping something from them, their eyebrows go up and their trust level goes down.

- They say what they mean and mean what they say, they don't use grammatical chicaneries to try to worm their way around difficult or sensitive issues - they are discreetly direct in their communications, then they follow through on everthing they say. If they don't mean it, they don't say it.

- They readily admit mistakes instead of trying to cover them up. There's no pain quite like the pain of admitting your mistakes. Check out Hebrews 4:13. By admitting your mistakes you'll engender much trust with your openness and candor.

- What they say is what you get. There's no better way to be honest than to be an open book, even when your forthrightness makes you uncomfortable.

- Serve, serve and serve some more - Real leaders serve their team of leaders by investing in them, breaking down barriers for them and getting out of the way and let them lead. Matthew 20:25-28 "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Really, it all boils down to this: strip away the facades and the fakery, legitimately serve those around you and just be real with them. It takes work, discipline and a commitment to honesty that many are not willing to give. But in the long run, it will garner trust from your team that will reap many, many benefits.

Be an extraordinary leader by being an authenthic and transparent leader and accomplish great things in and for His kingdom.