Authentic Leadership

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The authentic leadership  is a new theory that surged in the last years. There are few different theories about what is Authentic leadership, it is defined by some characteristics that leaders have, such as:  Self-awareness, internalized moral perspectives, balanced processing, relational transparency. (Authentic Leadership, chapter 10).  It is a complex process, which the leader will be seen as a trustworthy and believable person among his group. In my opinion, there are just few situations which a leader could do an authentic leadership, because the majority of the time a leader not could be faithful to all those characteristics that have defined him as authentic leader, or even there are times that act under some rules and styles of leadership without any novelty are the best options.  For example: Obama showed in the elections be a authentic leader, different from all his successors, however now, just 2 years after he's been showing contradictions in his values, such as his actions on the war or environmental issues. (See article and video: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7f78f588-edb9-11e0-a9a9-00144feab49a.html#axzz1asW4... http://youtu.be/lAfqFraOE0s). />
In addition there so many situations that are better use pre-establish styles and action to handle the group. For example, this could occur with frequency in business and military environment or dangerous situations. Some circumstances could push the leader to act against his/her values, and handle the crisis copying others leaders that have succeed in the same situation. I believe that in a war, repeat or copy successful leadership style is normal. 

My ALQ results classified me as “high” authentic leader (second highest in a scale of 4 points). This result, in my opinion, is very realistic, since I'm aware that in some moments I not act according to my values (unfortunately). Sometimes, it is to respect the other's opinion, other times some values are not realistic when applied to the practical moment. One example is :I'm against big companies exploit the workforce in poor countries, companies such as Nike, Zara, etc.; however, I still buy from them, mainly because I can't afford most of the companies that are recognised are fair work conditions.

In the business environment this is much more clear. In Spain I used work in a marketing consultant company. I used to work with the pharmaceutical industries, and our main objective was to say/ identify the best strategies to sell some of their products, if possible with the most expensive price, although, many times, the difference between the brands were not significant. Other times we just said what motivated people consume them, but many of the real results of the products were not so fantastic as shown on packages or ads, were not lies, but the “models” and ads shows expectations that are far from real.

On the other hand, I always try to do what I think is correct, even though could be not good for me. And there are moments that I ask my self, but it seems unconscious act.