Discover Your True North

1. Discover Your True North: The Foundation of Authentic Leadership

"True North is your orienting point—your fixed point in a spinning world—that helps you stay on track as a leader."

Authentic leadership starts with self-discovery. Your True North is derived from your most deeply held beliefs, values, and the principles you lead by. It serves as an internal compass, guiding you through the challenges and temptations of leadership.

Discovering your True North requires:

• Introspection and self-reflection
• Understanding your life story and experiences
• Identifying your core values and beliefs
• Aligning your actions with your authentic self

By staying true to your True North, you develop the authenticity that inspires trust and followership in others. This authenticity becomes your greatest asset as a leader, enabling you to navigate complex situations with integrity and purpose.

2. Life Stories and Crucibles Shape Your Leadership Journey

"The most difficult thing in becoming self-aware is to see ourselves as others see us."

Your life experiences mold your leadership style. Leaders are not born; they are forged through their experiences, particularly their crucibles—challenging events that test and shape their character.

Key aspects of your life story that influence leadership:

• Family background and upbringing
• Educational experiences
• Early career challenges and successes
• Significant personal and professional setbacks

Crucibles often serve as transformative experiences, forcing leaders to confront their values, resilience, and purpose. By reflecting on and learning from these experiences, leaders develop greater self-awareness and authenticity. The ability to reframe difficulties as opportunities for growth is a hallmark of authentic leaders.

3. Self-Awareness: The Cornerstone of Authentic Leadership

"Vulnerability is power."

Understanding yourself is crucial for effective leadership. Self-awareness involves recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and the impact you have on others. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery and reflection.

Key components of developing self-awareness:

• Regular self-reflection and introspection
• Seeking honest feedback from others
• Understanding your emotional triggers and responses
• Recognizing your biases and blind spots

Leaders who embrace vulnerability and openly acknowledge their limitations often gain greater respect and trust from their teams. This openness fosters a culture of authenticity and continuous improvement within organizations.

4. Values and Principles: Guiding Your Leadership Decisions

"Leaders with principles are less likely to get bullied or pushed around because they can draw clear lines in the sand."

Your values serve as a moral compass in leadership. They inform your decisions, shape your behavior, and define your leadership principles. Clearly defined values help leaders navigate ethical dilemmas and maintain integrity under pressure.

Steps to clarify and live by your values:

1. Identify your core values
2. Define how these values translate into leadership principles
3. Establish clear ethical boundaries
4. Regularly reflect on how your actions align with your values
5. Make decisions based on your principles, even when it's difficult

Leaders who consistently act in accordance with their values build trust and credibility with their teams and stakeholders. This alignment between values and actions is a key characteristic of authentic leadership.

5. Finding Your Sweet Spot: Aligning Motivations and Strengths

"I get to do what I like to do every single day of the year. I tap-dance to work, and when I get there, I think I'm supposed to lie on my back and paint the ceiling. It's tremendous fun."

Successful leaders operate at the intersection of their passions and talents. This convergence of intrinsic motivations and natural strengths is your "sweet spot"—where you can make your greatest contribution and find the most fulfillment.

Identifying your sweet spot involves:

• Understanding your intrinsic motivations
• Recognizing your unique strengths and talents
• Aligning your work with your passions
• Continuously developing your skills in areas you enjoy

When leaders operate in their sweet spot, they exhibit higher levels of engagement, creativity, and performance. This alignment not only leads to personal satisfaction but also inspires and motivates others around them.

6. Building a Support Team: Essential for Leadership Success

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

No leader succeeds in isolation. Building a strong support network is crucial for navigating the challenges of leadership and maintaining perspective. This network provides emotional support, honest feedback, and diverse perspectives.

Components of an effective support team:

• Spouse or life partner
• Close friends and confidants
• Professional mentors
• Peer support groups
• Trusted advisors

Leaders who cultivate strong support networks are better equipped to handle stress, make balanced decisions, and maintain their authenticity. These relationships provide a safe space for vulnerability and personal growth, essential for long-term leadership success.

7. Leading an Integrated Life: Balancing Personal and Professional Realms

"The world will shape you if you let it. To live the life you desire, you must make conscious choices."

Authentic leaders strive for integration rather than balance. Instead of compartmentalizing different aspects of life, they seek to bring together their personal values, relationships, and professional responsibilities into a cohesive whole.

Strategies for leading an integrated life:

• Align your work with your personal values and purpose
• Make time for family, friends, and personal interests
• Practice self-care and stress management
• Set clear boundaries between work and personal time
• Regularly reassess and adjust your priorities

Leaders who successfully integrate their personal and professional lives often find greater fulfillment and are better able to sustain their leadership effectiveness over the long term. This integration also sets an example for others in the organization, promoting a healthier work culture.

8. The Transformation from "I" to "We" Leadership

"To become authentic leaders, we must discard the myth that leadership means having legions of supporters following us as we ascend to the pinnacles of power."

Effective leadership shifts focus from personal achievement to collective success. This transformation involves moving beyond self-centered ambition to a broader perspective that prioritizes the growth and success of others and the organization as a whole.

Key aspects of the "I" to "We" transformation:

• Developing a service-oriented mindset
• Focusing on developing and empowering others
• Building strong, collaborative teams
• Aligning personal goals with organizational objectives
• Cultivating a sense of shared purpose and vision

Leaders who make this transition often find they can achieve far more through the collective efforts of their teams than they ever could alone. This shift is fundamental to creating sustainable, high-performing organizations.

9. Empowering Others: The Heart of Authentic Leadership

"The most empowering condition of all is when the entire organization aligns with its mission, and people's passions and purpose synchronize with each other."

Authentic leaders create environments where others can thrive. Empowerment goes beyond delegation; it involves creating a culture of trust, autonomy, and shared responsibility.

Strategies for empowering others:

• Clearly communicate vision and expectations
• Provide resources and support for success
• Encourage initiative and risk-taking
• Recognize and celebrate achievements
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth

When leaders effectively empower their teams, they unlock greater creativity, innovation, and commitment. This approach not only leads to better organizational outcomes but also develops the next generation of leaders.

10. Developing Global Intelligence (GQ) for 21st Century Leadership

"The organization model of a global company by 2020 is going to be very different than the traditional Western model. The culture that comes with it must be entirely different."

Today's leaders must navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. Global Intelligence (GQ) encompasses the skills and mindset necessary to lead effectively across diverse cultures and geographies.

Key components of Global Intelligence:

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Adaptability to different business environments
• Understanding of global economic and political trends
• Ability to build and lead diverse, multinational teams
• Skill in navigating complex international regulations and norms

Leaders with high GQ are better positioned to capitalize on global opportunities, manage risks, and build successful multinational organizations. Developing GQ often requires immersive experiences in different cultures and a commitment to continuous learning.

11. The Purpose of Business: Creating Value for All Stakeholders

"I don't spend 15 minutes thinking about making money. What is important in my life is influencing many people as well as China's development."

Authentic leaders recognize that business has a broader purpose beyond profit. They strive to create value for all stakeholders—employees, customers, communities, and the environment—not just shareholders.

Key aspects of stakeholder-focused leadership:

• Defining a clear organizational purpose beyond profit
• Balancing short-term results with long-term sustainability
• Considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders
• Investing in employee development and well-being
• Engaging in responsible environmental and social practices

Leaders who embrace this broader view of business purpose often find that it leads to greater long-term success and resilience. By creating value for all stakeholders, they build stronger, more sustainable organizations that can adapt and thrive in changing environments.

Last updated: May 8, 2025