Hi Brittany,<\/p>\n
Thank you for your thoughtful response and furthering the concept of being humble.\u00a0 I want to focus on a key component you mentioned in your response and question \u201cAs servant-led leaders, how do we become strategic and authentic?\u201d There are at least three critical dimensions in becoming more authentic: self-awareness, relational orientation and balanced processing.<\/p>\n
According\u00a0 to\u00a0 Duncan, P., Green, M., Gergen, E., & Ecung, W. (2017) self-awareness is a dynamic process and is the degree to which the leader reflects and demonstrates an understanding of how (s)he derives and makes sense of the world and is aware of his or her strengths, limitations, how others see him or her, and how (s)he impacts others.\u00a0 Being authentic involves congruency, acting in resonance with our moral values and ethics. Self-awareness, in general, is a crucial component of servant leadership. It allows leaders to pause and reflect on their own and other behaviours to make the necessary adjustments. Avolio and Gardner (2005) highlighted that self-awareness is not a destination point but a continually developing part of a person\u2019s makeup as they strive for personal growth.<\/p>\n
Relational orientation describes a level of social awareness whereby a person is open and truthful in relationships with others, it potentially enables a leader to be involved in healthier and more satisfying relationships whereby a reciprocal process of self-disclosure and transparency facilitates a productive relationship bound by high levels of trust (Takos, N., Murray, D., & O\u2019Boyle, I., 2018). This dimension of authentic leadership is closely related to TSL principles. Working on healthier relationships can be an appropriate starting point of becoming more strategic. It may have positive effects on the organizational culture, creating trust and opportunities for development.<\/p>\n
Balanced processing is related to objectivity and awareness, concerned with processing information without being distorted by personal biases, emotions, or other self-aspects. (Kernis & Goldman, 2006). This dimension is closely related to critical thinking in TSL. It is essential to be aware of assumptions, as they may limit and impact our leadership negatively. Objectivity provides the opportunity to make balanced decisions on critical issues.<\/p>\n
These are only some ways to become more strategic an authentic in leadership. Further discussion questions to be considered are: Is authenticity a valuable trait for other cultures in the non-profit sector?\u00a0 What is the relationship between authenticity and effectiveness in a non-profit organizational context?<\/p>\n
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References<\/p>\n
Gardner, W.L., Avolio, B.J., Luthans, F., May, D.R., & Walumbwa, F. (2005). \u201cCan you see the real me?\u201d A self-based model of authentic leader and follower development. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 343\u2013372. doi:10.1016\/j.leaqua.2005.03.003<\/p>\n
Duncan, P., Green, M., Gergen, E., & Ecung, W. (2017). Authentic leadership–is it more than emotional intelligence?\u00a0Administrative Issues Journal: Education, Practice & Research<\/em>,\u00a07<\/em>(2), 11\u201322. https:\/\/ezproxy.student.twu.ca:2420\/10.5929\/2017.7.2.2<\/a><\/p>\n Kernis, M.H., & Goldman, B.M. (2006). A multicomponent conceptualization of authenticity: Theory and research. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 283\u2013357<\/p>\n Takos, N., Murray, D., & O\u2019Boyle, I. (2018). Authentic Leadership in Nonprofit Sport Organization Boards.\u00a0Journal of Sport Management<\/em>,\u00a032<\/em>(2), 109\u2013122. Retrieved from https:\/\/ezproxy.student.twu.ca\/login?url=http:\/\/search.ebscohost.com\/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=128851443&site=eds-live<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi Brittany, Thank you for your thoughtful response and furthering the concept of being humble.\u00a0 I want to focus on a key component you mentioned in your response and question \u201cAs servant-led leaders, how do we become strategic and authentic?\u201d There are at least three critical dimensions in becoming more authentic: self-awareness, relational orientation and … <\/p>\n