LeadersIn Business Q&A

Can a leader be Transformational and Authentic? Who is your favourite example of such a leader?

Asked by John Read on 09/11/2011

My thesis studied transformational and authentic leadership. Every day we are seeing examples of CEO's who fail. They commence by transforming their organisations and ultimately fail to deliver authentic values-based sustainable organisational development. Their organisations fail. When their Vision becomes 'my way or the highway', when values become selfish rather than serving others: namely customers, community and employees, and when systems of accountability and governance are missing; then all the transformational leadership in the world becomes a house built on sand...and many know that story well. I wonder when societies will learn that poor leadership at CEO and Country levels, must be both authentic and transformational. How many crises, how many generations, how much re-learning must take place before sustainable leadership behaviours emerge and are accepted as essential ingredients in holding a position or having a licence to lead. So who are the exemplars of authentic transformational leadership in our modern era? My first nomination goes to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Yours is?

3 answers on "Can a leader be Transformational and Authentic? Who is your favourite example of such a leader?"

• 

  3iqleadership

  6 months ago

  Correcting this sentence above with my sincere apologies:

  I wonder when societies will learn that ['poor' should read 'great'] leadership at CEO and Country levels, must be both authentic and transformational. How many crises, how many generations, how much re-learning must take place before sustainable leadership behaviours emerge and are accepted as essential ingredients in holding a position or having a licence to lead.

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• LeadershipEsteemCoach

  6 months ago

  Chuck Colson, from Nixon's Watergate Scandal.

  Leaders cannot afford to skip the bitter water. It contains mineral for leaders' mind to shape a crystal clear vision and grow authentic self-image.

  Surely they will pass on the fountain with palm trees and have the corner office waiting. But when they skip bitter minerals that strengthen leadership, they are too fragile for the great tribulation associated with acquiring the corner office.

  Chuck Colson drank the bitter water in prison, and came out stronger and authentic.

  Thanks for conducting the research, John. We share the same passion. I am now in the 8th year of doing research on leadership authentic self-image. It's worthed and rewarding as now I can help leaders building their leadership-esteem through renewing their authentic self-image.

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• 

  anthony

  6 months ago

  I agree in full with your sentiment.  It's true that sometimes leaders are far to preoccupied with their own status and influence.  The result is that their focus is on themselves and not on the community that they serve.  It's not until the focus is on serving others that excellence shall prevail.

  I would like to point out two videos that relate to your question and comment:

  i) Daniel Goleman (the author of Emotional Intelligence) that was posted last week talking about how leaders need to communicate to the heart: http://leadersin.com/programmes/daniel-goleman-on-leading-through-emotions-and-primal-leadership.

  ii) Ken Blanchard (the author of the One Minute Manager) on 'servant leadership'.http://leadersin.com/programmes/ken-blanchard-on-leaders-are-there-to-serve-not-to-be-served

  Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore has embodied both authentic and transformational leadership.  The test for him will be can his son follow suit.  It seems so far that he can.

  In terms of who I'd nominate... I will reflect and come back.

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