Confusing intent, authenticity with honesty
Let’s start with the basic definitions: Authenticity is defined as the quality of being real or true. What does this mean. Well, unfortunately a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Let’s define it further to mean being exactly and actually what is claimed. Or is it? Authenticity seems to be one of those unicorn words which morph into whatever the writer wants it to be. It can mean being true to oneself, and/or a reflection of your identity. And yes, you can be authentic by these standards without being honest.
Intention is everything. How many times have we heard this in our lives? The motivation behind our authenticity or honesty tells others everything about us. If our intent is only to better ourselves at all costs, no amount of honest or authenticity will hide that from others. If our intent is to better ourselves and others it is obvious not only in our words but our actions.
So, let’s park authenticity on the sidelines and talk about honesty. What is it. By definition honesty is just that, being honest, being truthful. Does this mean all honest people are trustworthy, no. Does this mean all honest people are transparent, no. Does this mean all honest people have integrity or veracity, no.
Someone who is honest, is free of deceit, truthful and sincere, the catch is it’s possible to be honest in one moment and dishonest the next. We see this played out in politics daily. Our politicians tell us one truth and then follow it with several untruths. We know the truth and then accept the untruths as further examples of their honesty. Managers do this too; they tell us one or two truths about the company and its goals but avoid or obfuscate the truths about their own goals to illicit an expected outcome from us. The manager here is being authentic but blurring the lines with honesty to fulfill a goal.
So how to we lead differently? How do we behave differently. The most important quality of an honest leader is the ability to recognize they do not have all the answers in any given scenario. An honest leader acknowledges their gifts and faults, accepts them for what they are and works to better themselves. An honest leaders also acknowledges the gifts and faults of those they lead and accepts them for what they are while offering support and assistance to those who follow so they may better themselves. By doing this the leader lifts not only themselves but their entire following towards a shared goal. An honest leader also puts others before themselves, always. By doing so those we lead are inspired to do more, be more and strive for more as part of the collective whole.
Example: You are president of your company, you have upper management, middle management, support staff, expert staff and administrative staff. All of these people have the shared goal of making the company profitable, so they have a job tomorrow and the next day. Your company is having a rough year, it’s not horrible but it’s been better. At the end of the year, you give yourself and your upper management exorbitant bonuses and perks just as in years past, you dribble what’s left over to the middle management and everyone else. You tell them to hang in there for a better year, next year, the following year, and a potential bonus increase. The majority of your staff of middle management or lower resigns over the next year, moving to greener pastures. You blame it on lack of loyalty and the economy.
What happened here? You were authentic to yourself; you wanted your yearly bonus and perks. You were authentic with your staff; it wasn’t the best year. And ironically you were honest with your, “more for me and none for you” actions. You let your employees see with your actions the value you place on their contribution. You led them right out the door.
Example: You are president of your company, you have upper management, middle management, support staff, expert staff and administrative staff. All of these people have the shared goal of making the company profitable, so they have a job tomorrow and the next day. Your company is having a rough year, it’s not horrible but it’s been better. You recognize you have a valuable hard-working staff, which you have spent years cultivating, training and nurturing so they can do the best job possible for the company you run. Since bonuses this year will be smaller, you and your upper management rework your bonuses and perks to make sure the staff who is working hard for you receive enough of a bonus or perk to make them feel all of their contributions have not been in vain. You explain your plan to increase business over the next year and ask for input from your all parties. A year later not a single employee has resigned and through a collective approach your company has found new ways to generate income. You were honest. You let your employees see with your actions the value you place on their contributions. You led them to being a part of a company that took their needs into account and all of you benefited.
What did you miss, but others saw plainly? Your intent. When you talk about honesty and authenticity, veracity, and integrity. Remember our honest intention truly is in everything we do, and it is the key. Remember your intent is not hidden it is out there for everyone to see. So, when you led, led with the intention of shared honestly and authenticity, shared integrity and veracity, shared knowledge and goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vhTjamJmoI