“Be yourself – not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” – Henry David Thoreau

Last week in this space the conversation was about making your business what you want it to be, not what somebody else thinks it should be.  That topic got me thinking about how the same idea applies to us as leaders, not just our organizations.

The word Authenticity gets used a lot these days.  It may feel like an overused buzz word, but until somebody comes up with something better, it fits.  We hear a lot about how important it is to be authentic in sales and business development because no one wants to do business with a phony.

Nobody wants to follow a phony either.  When you’re leading, you have to lead as you.  You can’t spend time trying to be something somebody else told you to be, or pretending to be something you saw somebody be on TV. 

People will see right through that.  If you want people to follow you, and help you row your boat in the direction you want it to go, you have to be genuinely, authentically you. 

If you’re somebody who gives terrific motivational speeches, then give motivational speeches.  If not, then don’t.  If you’re somebody who can effectively use humor as part of how they lead, then use humor.  If not, then don’t.

Those are elementary level examples, but you get the idea.  You were made a certain way, and you can’t effectively be any other way.  You have to be you.

Be proud of that.  Understand who you are and be excited about it.  Understand how the things that make you uniquely you can help you lead effectively, and then make the most of those things. 

Don’t try and be someone you’re not.  Don’t try and emulate someone who isn’t you.  It’s not necessary.  Be you, and it will be enough.