Dollar General

Edgar Perez is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience collaborating with organizations to attract, develop and engage talent. Edgar holds an MBA from Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) and a Business Degree from IPADE Business School. He has partnered with international and Fortune 500 companies on strategic hiring, team development, organizational culture and leadership. His expertise lies in understanding the business and creating talent strategies to lead the business to growth and sustainable success.

Through this article, Edgar Pérez Torres argues that genuine leadership is more critical now than ever in today's social media-driven world. He contends that true leadership is defined by authenticity, not just by popularity or visibility and that Authentic leaders should be characterized by their genuine self, strong value systems, long-term vision and alignment between words and actions. He explains how authentic leaders must demonstrate genuine care for their employees, making their work experience as positive and hassle-free as possible.

In the era of social media popularity, where followers, likes and trending topics seem to determine success, it appears that being a trendsetter is a measure of achievement. The ease of interaction on social media and the immediacy of reactions and rewards makes it attractive to almost everyone; working for the spotlight and conquering the audience is often seen as the path to follow.

But is this sustainable? Is it the right measure of success? Is it the top attribute people want to see in their leaders? I don’t believe it is and here’s why.

In today's increasingly complex world, effective leadership requires more than high-level skills, knowledge and strategies. The core of outstanding leadership is authenticity. It is the key to building solid, long-term relationships, effective communication and sustainable success.

Both leaders and followers associate authenticity with sincerity, honesty and integrity—attributes that define great leaders. People want to be led by someone real, particularly in the turbulent times we live in.

Employees may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

As leaders, we often assume that authenticity is an innate quality, something a person either possesses or does not. Authenticity is a quality that others attribute to you. No leader can self-evaluate and declare it.

Because this concept is broad, you may wonder what an authentic leader looks like and question what it means for you and what you need to understand about leadership. Here are some key distinctions I’ve found in great leaders:

Genuineness: Authentic leaders embody their true selves. Authenticity and transparency lead to personal growth and convey confidence and truthfulness. Strong leaders always seek to learn more, recognizing that learning is a lifelong partner. They find joy and energy in learning about new people and concepts. Their authentic curiosity not only enhances their understanding of the business they lead but also fosters better relationships with their team.

Strong Value System: Authentic leaders consistently act according to their principles and values. Even in tough times, true leaders do not compromise their principles for an outcome. They understand that integrity cannot be a shortcut, even if it makes a situation more challenging. They face problems head-on and endure short-term struggles if they lead to long-term, ethical results.

Long-Term Vision and Purpose: When you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else. Great leaders have a clear vision and purpose and motivate others to join them on their journey. By establishing a clear vision and inspiring people around a shared purpose, great leaders energize and inspire their teams with a defined strategy, clear communication and focused prioritization.

Walk the Talk: To establish your authenticity as a leader, ensure that your words align with your actions. Otherwise, your followers will not see you as authentic. Consistency is crucial when establishing authenticity, but a great leader does even more. Employees are always observing you. Your actions and behavior are continuously monitored and discussed among your team. If you’re going to ‘talk the talk,’ be prepared to ‘walk the walk.’

The Team: Your People: Demonstrate genuine care for your people in as many ways as possible. Employees don’t expect elaborate gestures, but they want to know that you care about them as individuals. When employees feel that leadership is listening to them, they experience a tremendous sense of value and worth, which in turn, makes them feel genuinely cared for.

Make the day-to-day work experience as hassle-free as possible. By making their jobs easier, you foster a sense of being cared for and listened to, contributing to a culture of commitment rather than mere compliance.

People may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.