Finding a Business That Delights You - It Will Lead You to Your Authentic Self

The first time I heard the phrase Authentic Leadership was via a friend involved in management and personal development. Her definition was a little sketchy - so it led me to investigate further. The first time I saw it in action I was so thrilled - and I'll tell you why.It was refreshing to see people genuinely being themselves in leadership roles. These people were more interested in empowering those around them and contributing to their business community and making a difference than taking control of them, these people believed in the ethos of great teams, not charismatic leaders build great organisations. Research shows that employees and teams have higher energy, more committed and enthusiasm for their roles when they see that their leader is just being themselves.Being authentic even as one self can be challenging - letting others see us as we really are worts and all so to speak, as human- being making mistakes. Andrew Cohen of Evolutionary Enlightment, has a wonderful list that he believes we should always aspire to if we are to be truly authentic as leaders and liberated human beings. I have added my interpretation, see if these ring true for you.Andrew says we must be willing to:
Stand alone - Have an opinion, stand up for your decisions and be true to them.
Live fearlessly - Have a no wholes barred approach.
Act heroically - To act selflessly, without personal benefit.
Want to be free and true more than anything else - Unswerving Commitment to your goals, beliefs and actions.
Take unconditional responsibility for oneself - Act ethically.
Face everything and avoid nothing - In spiritual terms this means developing awareness, to see what is real and true.
At all times see things impersonally - Act without ego.
Live for a higher purpose - Work unstoppably to achieve your goals, powering through obstacles.Can you imagine for a moment how your current situation would look if you were to live fearlessly? Take on any task and attack it with a no wholes barred approach - no preconceived ideas that would make you hesitate. What effect would this have on those that look up to you? Would it not energise them, enthuse them, motivate them and inspire them.I have taken to reading this list each morning and I find depending on my circumstance one or another will resonate strongly on any given day. Authentic leadership is not about ego and self image it is about caring so much more for a higher purpose, that you're willing to make the most important sacrifices for the sake of what you are aspiring to accomplish. Cohen says that caring "so passionately about others also reaching that goal that we unhesitatingly sacrifice our own peace of mind, comfort, and security in order for them to succeed. It really means that we have no choice left anymore because we have realized without any doubt that from now on, it's up to us.."In essence Authentic leaders are focused on their purpose rather than their ego, there is true meaning in their work. True authenticity comes when you find something you love best, the thing that inspires and satisfies you, excites you and spurs you on to great work. When addressing a graduation group at Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation studios, said,"...time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."Don't be starved for meaning in your work, we spend most of your lives in this activity, source your passion, face your goals -"face everything, avoid nothing" follow your authentic self.'To business that we love we rise betime,And go to 't with delight.' William ShakespeareRespectfullyJoanne Sebok