— To follow is a bullet of wisdom on leadership. It comes from Tom’s rifle, named Shot, who has seen it all. You’ll get the drift by clicking Blog in the menu at www.tomnewhouse.com. —
I’M AUTHENTICALLY ME. As I have said before, I am a Model 67 Winchester .22 caliber long-barrel rimfire rifle, a bolt-action single-shot. I don’t try to be anything else. I serve others, and they come to know they can depend on me.
People want to be led by someone “real.” This Goffee and Jones wrote in an HBR article. Realness (i.e., authenticity) is a perceived trait not a self-proclaimed one. That’s good, because you can develop more of it. Get to know yourself thoroughly—what shaped you and your comfort zones. Get “into” others—learn their multiple dimensions, be vulnerable, empathize, care about what they do, and let them know that you see their uniqueness. Folks will realize that you care about them, and they will follow the you that cares.