What is one trait of an authentic leader?

To help you become a more authentic leader, we asked business leaders and HR experts this question for their best traits. From humility to living the core values, there are several traits of an authentic leader.

Here are 10 traits of an authentic leader:

• Trust

• Human

• Listening

• Humility

• Not Having All The Answers

• Commitment

• Sincere In Their Words And Deeds

• Focus On Long-term Results

• Open, Supportive, Honest

• Living The Core Values 

Trust

An authentic leader knows that if they bring aboard the best and the brightest people, with talents that they do not have, and they support them, and they rely on each other...together they can build an amazing business. So I guess that trait is trust. Trust in your decisions and trust in your people.

-Jody Foster, BOOM Media

Human

Authentic leaders are human. They have a personality that attracts and inspire others, but they are not superheroes. They don't have superpowers. They lead because they set an example, and they are willing to drive the boat. They make mistakes, they accept their mistakes, they reflect on them, and they move on.

-Silvina Skverer, Thinking Beyond Business

Listening

I have found that listening to those around you is a trait of an authentic leader. A leader who listens can cultivate new ideas and processes based on input and collaboration from those around them. It also allows them access to the next leaders in their organization. Establishing this type of culture in your organization will attract those who want to grow and succeed.

-Lisa Faust, Pacific West Bank

Humility 

An authentic leader is humble because they know that folks will follow their lead. Instead of saying that they are a leader, they assume the role, and folks follow suit. The humility of a leader makes them human. Their humanity bolsters their authenticity.

-Sarah Vito, Yellow Emperor

Not Having All The Answers

Authentic leaders are willing to say they don't know the answer to something and asking the team for help solving a problem. In those situations, the leader can still lead the way by structuring a solid problem-solving conversation while showing that they don't feel like they have to have all the answers and also that they really value the ideas of team members.

-Jen Coyne, The PEAK Fleet

Commitment

An authentic leader has to be committed to the objective. That means that the person must believe that the objective is worth attaining, probably enjoy pursuing the objective, and understand how to communicate that to diverse people. When a person truly believes the objective is worth attaining and enjoys pursuing it, the person can be more naturally energized and self-motivated. Also, if the person believes the objective is worthwhile, the person will probably be knowledgeable about the objective, making the person more credible to others. The person may not be the best speaker, but the person needs to be able to communicate all this in some way, such as by speech, writing, or demonstration, to others.

-Diane Henkels, Henkels Law LLC

Sincere In Their Words And Deeds

Authentic leaders are honest and sincere in their words and deeds. They understand the importance of putting authenticity into action. Demonstrating authenticity is essential for leaders who want to foster strong relationships with employees, customers, and partners and create a diverse and inclusive workplace culture in which individuals can thrive. 

-Andrew Rawson, Traliant

Focus On Long-term Results

Authentic leaders focus on long-term results. By focusing on the long term, leaders can resist the temptation of some short-term gains that may cause problems in the future. A long-term focus isn’t solely on financial success. Authentic leaders recognize that employee development, customer experience, and vendor relationships also need to take a long-term stance to be successful.

-Ben Walker, Transcription Services

Open, Supportive, And Honest

Information security typically isn’t an industry where secrets are openly shared. However, in interviewing leaders for our “Cyber Security Hero” series, we found that some of the most authentic leaders made it their mission to help fellow cyber leaders. Authentic leaders are open, supportive, and honest. Perhaps that’s why some of the most authentic leaders are also the people helping transform cybersecurity. 

-Nick Santora, Curricula

Living The Core Values 

The core values of a company define what authenticity means in an organization. At the end of the day, an authentic leader lives the core values of an organization. They represent what it means to uphold those values. I don’t think there’s a universal definition and poster of an authentic leader. It depends on the organization and its core values. Generally speaking, if the leader lives those values, it’s safe to assume that they fit the organization’s self-definition of authenticity. With this definition, the cool thing is that an “authentic leader” can be found at all levels of an organization—not just the top. 

-Brett Farmiloe, Markitors

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