BOOK REVIEW: "True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership" by Bill George (2007)
A compass is a tool used to find the direction you wish, just like in the novel, the compass is used as an analogy. Each and everyone of us follow our inner desires or what we believe is true and that we consider this as our internal compass or True North. It is based on your personal motivations and pursuits. People will want to be with you and follow you if you lead by example and stick to your idea of True North.
[1] Having a True North will help you focus on your goal during confusing times. After reading the chapters of Bill George, I learned how to be an effective and efficient leader, self awareness was more observed and I learned to assess my self whether I belong to any of the five archetypal leadership categories the book describes. The imposters, rationalizers, glory seekers, loners, and shooting stars. These are critical categories that may disable my leadership style. This book is written for everyone who leads on a daily basis, not simply executives and public servants.
No one can be authentic by trying to be someone else.
When attempting to be an authentic leader, this is something we should keep in mind. Leaders are very complicated individuals with unique qualities that cannot be adequately defined by a character or trait list. Their leadership developed as a result of their own experiences, decisions, and tales. In the end, being genuine to oneself, embracing our originality, and refraining from comparing ourselves to others or attempting to become someone we are not are the keys to being authentic. Through this, we can develop a feeling of self-acceptance and self-assurance that will enable us to face life's obstacles with sincerity and resiliency.
The journey to authentic leadership
Take inspiration from your own life stories. If you want to create something then make it happen. Use your own life as a motivation to learn to lead others. Consciously use your life experiences to envision all your plans and ideas and how you will achieve these things in life. Acquiring true and authentic leadership is a gradual process that progresses throughout your journey until you achieve what is authentic leadership. Lead yourself to somewhere you can be self-aware, go to places where relationships are meaningful based on trust, respect, and transparency.
Why Leaders Lose Their Way
Many leaders lose sight of their true north, which makes it difficult for them to carry out their duties. Each leader may run the risk of having to deal with this issue. Someone may not necessarily be a lousy leader just because they lose their bearings. What drives leaders to veer off course? When a leader's drive and desire turn into an external or materialistic fulfillment, they become lost. They are not horrible leaders, and they have enormous leadership potential, but somewhere along the line, they lost sight of their true north.
The Transformation from I to We
Learning, internalizing, and accepting that in true authentic leadership the “I” is not what is important but the “we”. You must put others before yourself and always seek how to bring out their full potential and bring out the best they can be. Once you realize this as a leader then you are getting closer to having authentic leadership.
Knowing your authentic self
As a leader, knowing yourself is essential. You must be self-aware of yourself and your actions. First is your emotional quotient and your intelligence quotient. You must be able to control your emotions in order to be able to properly lead others, and it is observed that leaders with an exceptionally high IQ get too intellectually involved and have trouble being tolerant of others. You must find the right role for yourself and others and then be consistent in doing good.
Practicing Your Values and Principles
Practicing your values and principles involves your values, leadership principles, and ethical boundaries. In terms of values you need to decide on what is important for you in your life, in terms of leadership principles are values translated into action form, then after describing your leadership principles, you need to clearly understand your ethical boundaries and where you will place the limit.
What Motivates you to be a leader
One thing that motivates me to be a leader is that I want to make a positive impact. I want to effect change and create a better future for those who serve especially the police officers of the PNP. Another thing that motivates me is my desire to grow personally and professionally. And lastly is that I lead because of the passion that I have in my heart, this mission to serve my Creator, my community, and my family.
Building your support team
Every leader has someone supporting them because, without them, the loneliness of leadership would be too much to bear. Leaders cannot succeed on their own. Authentic leaders have support teams that will be there when they are down and when they need comfort. They provide affirmation and love, and they will be the people a leader can show their vulnerability in low points in the leadership. Support teams involve loved ones, friends, and family members.
Staying Grounded: Integrating your life
As an authentic leader, you must keep your achievements grounded, you must be the same person you really are anywhere may go. Integrating your life is one of the most difficult things to do, to integrate your life, you need to bring together your work, family, personal life, and friends. I have identified my priority in life and that is to serve my community. By staying grounded, I was able to balance the different aspects of my life including my personal, professional, and social responsibilities.
Leadership with Purpose and Passion
Follow your compass, not your clock. Every leader has their own purpose and passion as to why they are doing what they are doing. Your passion and purpose may come from your life story, and what you have been through in your life. You need to understand yourself and what you are feeling inside to truly understand how to lead with purpose and passion.
Throughout the phase of my cadetship training program, I discovered my inner sense of purpose with the help of my underclassmen. Supervising them taught me to make timely decisions and to keep on track in pursuing my goal which is to graduate. I shared with my underclass the essence of self-reflection and exploration. This will help them in their journey in becoming an upperclassman.
[1] https://web.facebook.com/groups/804208944209846/permalink/857287538901986
Reference: George, B. (2007. ")True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership" San Francisco