Pitfalls and Drawbacks of Authentic Leadership

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Pitfalls and Drawbacks of Authentic Leadership

Although authenticity has become a popular and according to some people critical feature for efficient leadership, Ibarra (2015) argues that the success of the authentic leadership approach depends on the way it is perceived/defined. A too static definition of authenticity, thereby seeing it as a static unwavering identity, may actually hamper effective leadership and growth.

Leaders indeed struggle with this type of leadership today, especially because of current dynamic environments. These require more frequent and more radical changes in what we do, rather than sticking too much to authentic leadership principles.
In other words: leaders should balance authenticity and adaptability. If one of those exceeds the other, the probability of being ineffective is high. For example, if authenticity overrides adaptability, learning and growth are inhibited.

In conclusion, authenticity can be interpreted in various ways. Seeing it as 'being the way we have always been’ will hamper business growth and efficient leadership rather than supporting it.

⇒Are there any other disadvantages or pitfalls of authentic leadership?

Source: Ibarra, H. (2015) “Don’t let Authenticity Hold you Back” Harvard Business Review.

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		3 Olga Aros Consultant, United States
	Another Pitfall Related to Authentic Leadership First, self knowledge and exploring your foundation of beliefs and values is critical to any leadership. Every organization has developed norms and behaviors that are considered acceptable and in most cases required by an individual if they are to "fit" within the organization. This requires adaptability towards and display of the organization’s culture. These can come in conflict with an individual committed to authentic leadership. It is both an asset to using authenticity to enlighten an organization and a pitfall if the organization demands and pressures individuals to practice conformity. For those whose norms, beliefs are different and displayed it can be a pitfall to an organization and a challenge to authentic leadership. It will always be a new learning for an organization as well as a leader to finding effective ways to make a difference.

		2 jorge anibal hoyos hoyos Manager, Colombia
	Not Only for the Leaders I think the major thing is "adaptability with authenticity", I think this holds true not only at all levels and points of the organization, but also in our normal way of life, always working into proactive environment with no apprehensions, as a team.

		1 ZB Gurmessa Student (University), South Africa
	Adaptablity overides in the private sector than the public sector The issue of authenticity versus adaptability is a major leadership paradigm today. The application and effectiveness of these leadership styles depends on the context: - The private sector is meant to produce goods that are liked by the consumers/customers and hence whatever they do is aimed at pleasing their customers. They may happen to twist this fact to get acceptance by the larger crowd. It is the preference of the market that derives what they usually do. This phenomenon influences the kind of leadership style that they should follow to run their business. The private sector is skewed to "adaptability" over "authenticity". Therefore, adaptability is overriding in the private sector. - In the public sector most of the decisions are made by the book or through rules and regulations. As opposed to the private sector, the public sector operates in a relatively stable and static environment making "authenticity" much more favourable leadership style over adaptability. In summary, the leadership style in the private sector should be more adaptive than the public sector.

		1 Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
	Authenticity May Sometimes Support Adaptability Rules, procedures, policies take time to change. In order to initiate change, a little bit of compromise or authenticity may help to the cause of innovation/change? For example, some company in the construction sector might require a minimum of say 8 to 9 years of experience in that industry from candidates for a job. In order to achieve more innovation maybe a compromise to the authenticity of contents of resume for a professional who has experience in software and is willing to work in the construction industry may be of help to the cause of inducing innovation?

		4 Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco Entrepreneur, Portugal
	Authenticity is no Longer a Pill Authenticity must be recognized and accepted by all stakeholders. There is no recipe. Secondly, being authentic is not a question of mood, it is a way of being, staying alive in the world, not only in business, but also in common life. You can not be authentic only if you want to. Thirdly, authenticity needs you to learn every nanosecond. You must know thyself almost entirely and respect all the possibilities to be understood. On the other hand, in my research on authentic leadership, I have observed that people potentially expect from their companies adequate material conditions plus a meaningful contribution. I have found also that there is the possibility of authentic leadership influence not being felt by all or most followers. In any case, authenticity is no longer a simple pill for leadership.

		0 c r ghosh India
	No Authentic Leadership I do not think that there is anything called "Authentic Leadership". A leader has to have some qualities and traits, like Knowledge of the subject, Integrity, Listening Ability, Self Confidence and Communication Skills. But a leader has to react/respond based on the situation and situations differ. He has to adapt, else he will fail.

		1 Andrew Blaine Business Consultant, South Africa
	Authentic versus Traditional Leadership It is indeed dangerous to mix Authentic (the real deal) with Traditional (Historical in both nature and application) leadership. The "real deal" is constantly in demand and, by its very nature, adapts in anticipation of change in each and every respect. Historical leadership is bound and limited by tradition and established norms, which only change in response to results. This form of leadership is not true, in fact it is more "followership" as it follows change, rather than initiating or being ahead of it. I suggest that this topic evolved out of an inaccurate definition and misuse of English which has little relevance to leadership.

		2 Olga Aros Consultant, United States
	The Diversity of Leadership Skills Today is a Requirement Worked in Fortune 500 cultures, public sector and community development. Each culture had different priorities that required different approaches to getting results. This was primarily true for the private sector who focused on the future, and less in the public and community sectors who were reliant on government. Still, all required leadership that brought innovation, creation, adaptability, knowledge, experience and two specific skills: Anticipation of the future and Curiosity. Without these two skill sets it makes it difficult to drive change in "old" work environments, but it can be done with data driven leadership. I find few leaders who have mastered anticipation and practice constant data driven curiosity with a purpose. Throughout all these environments, one must be authentic to oneself in order to be grounded and anchored to sustain the many struggles that come with leadership and change.

		1 Isaias Joao Director, Angola
	Authenticity is no Longer a Pill @Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco: I fully agree with you, Victor Seco. Authenticity is not a choice, but what you really are. Even if you hide it, sooner or later the truth will come to the surface....

		2 Gandhi Heryanto Management Consultant, Indonesia
	Meanings and Problems of Authentic Leadership There are 2 different meanings of authentic leadership: - Firstly it is a term used by Bill George. He focuses on the need for better corporate leaders who espouse and act consistent with higher orde...

		1 Supriyono Lecturer, Indonesia
	Authenticity Will Always Synergize with Adaptibility My experience in working in corporate multinational mining company, private primary and middle schools, as well as Universities has inspired me that authenticity results from a so-called "shaking envi...

		1 Victor Manuel Monteiro Seco Entrepreneur, Portugal
	Leadership is not Only Acting Some participants of this forum suggest that leadership is a question of adaptability and, obviously, survival. Like in any field of life "the show must go on" and leaders must combine their skills wi...

		3 Briolett, Canada
	Authenticity versus Adaptability Authenticity is more a way of being not necessarily an idea of 'being the way we have always been'. Authentic leadership is about open and honest communications and being open to the ideas and inputs ...