Leadership Insights - Leading Authentically

As head teachers, we know that leading authentically is key to cultivating a strong foundation for which to build success and improvement in a school.

So why then can this sometimes be a challenge?

Let me set the scene: You’re an experienced head teacher working in a new school. You know that there are improvements to be made and have been working hard to implement change. 

Today, you are due to meet with the School Improvement Partner who has high expectations and an assertive manner. As you welcome them into your office and sit down to discuss the school’s priorities and progress, you suddenly experience a wave of anxiety.

Despite having a clear vision about the direction of the school, and the steps you need to take, you hesitate to share your thoughts.

This fear of being authentic stems from a belief that your ideas might not align with the expectations of the other person and can have a detrimental impact on a head teacher’s resilience, confidence and overall well-being.

Leading Authentically

‘Authenticity is our natural state of being. The authentic self is a state of being where we are centered, creative, adaptive, and inspired.’ (Author: Henna Inam)

Authentic leadership emphasises self-awareness, transparency and genuine interactions that foster trust and inspires others to reach their full potential. When applied to headship, authentic leadership becomes a powerful tool in creating a positive and productive work environment, driving improvement and building strong relationships in teams.

What this look like in reality:

Trust and respect – Authentic leaders are genuine and transparent, which creates an environment of trust and respect. When leaders are true to themselves, they inspire others to be open and honest.

Engagement – Authentic leaders value the different abilities and perspectives of their team members. By creating an inclusive environment where individuals feel valued, recognised and empowered, authentic leaders drive high levels of engagement, motivation and satisfaction.

Culture – Authentic leadership sets the tone for the school’s culture. When the head teacher embodies authenticity and encourages others to embrace their own authenticity, it fosters a culture of openness, innovation and adaptability where individuals are more likely to bring their best selves and efforts.

Resilience and Adaptability – Head teachers that lead authentically acknowledge their imperfections and learn from failures. They encourage a growth mindset and foster resilience amongst others in the team.

So why do some head teachers end up feeling disconnected from their true authentic selves?

The fear of being authentic and trying to conform to what others expect can be a common challenge for many head teachers, especially when the stakes are high!

Like the earlier scenario of the head teacher meeting their School Improvement Partner, there can be a variety of reasons for leaders to feel that they can’t be their true authentic selves:

Fear of judgement – Head teachers may worry about how their true authentic selves may be perceived and judged by others. The fear of criticism or being seen as a weak leader can lead to them conforming to perceived expectations instead of embracing their true selves.

Pressure to meet expectations – Head teachers face a high expectations from just about all school stakeholders. No wonder therefore that they fear that being authentic could be seen as deviating from these expectations, potentially jeopardizing their reputation.

Power dynamics – Some head teachers may feel the need to maintain a certain image or persona to uphold their authority and control. They may fear being vulnerable in the fear that being authentic could be perceived as a sign of weakness, undermining their leadership effectiveness.

Fear of conflict – Authenticity can sometimes involve expressing different opinions or challenging other’s ideas. For some head teachers they believe that doing this could lead to conflict or resistance.

Self-Doubt – Head teachers are human beings and, just like everyone else, might have their own personal insecurities and self-doubts. They may fear that revealing their true selves could expose their vulnerabilities, making them feel incapable in their leadership role.

The impact of not leading authentically  

Overcoming the fear of authenticity requires self-reflection, courage and a commitment to growth. Not leading authentically can lead to head teachers running the risk of not being true to themselves or sacrificing their personal values and beliefs in order to conform to external expectations.

This in itself can lead to:

Emotional Disconnect – Feeling feelings of dissatisfaction, frustration and even burnout.

Inauthentic Leadership –coming across as being insincere. This erodes trust and credibility amongst your team and hinders effective leadership and collaboration.

Missed Opportunities – to bring about positive change, innovation and growth towards achieving the school’s goals and vision.

Toxic culture – when head teachers do not lead authentically they may inadvertently create a culture of conformity, mistrust and guardedness. This negatively impacts staff morale and prevents a commitment to the school’s vision and goals.

What a head teacher can do if they feel disconnected from their true authentic self?

If a head teacher feels disconnected from leading authentically, there are several things that they can do to reconnect with their authentic self:

Reflect on your values and purpose – Take the time needed to reflect on your personal values, beliefs and the underlying purpose that drives your work as a head teacher. Reconnecting with your core values can provide clarity and motivation, helping you to align your actions with your true authentic self.

Seek feedback – reach out to trusted colleagues to give you honest feedback that will help you to gain further insights into how you are perceived and identify areas that might be holding you back.

Embrace vulnerability & take small steps – leading authentically requires you to lean into and embrace your vulnerability.  Identify where you feel the most disconnect lies and start experimenting with expressing your true self in those areas. Gradually expand your comfort zone and continue to reflect on the impact of your authentic leadership.

Engage in coaching – invest in your personal development to help develop self-awareness, explore what’s holding you back and help you to reconnect with your values and your true authentic self.

Remember, leading authentically is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, courage and a commitment to personal growth. By reconnecting with your true authentic self, you have the power to inspire and empower others, reignite your happiness and fulfillment in your role.

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