Authentic Leadership 2. Who is the authentic leader, and do you qualify?

New leaders

In many countries, elections are around the corner and people are preparing to vote. None of us are left untouched by our leaders and the quality of leadership, as this impacts every aspect of our lives. Getting the right, quality people in the right places is imperative for our advancement

Oldschool leadership training

Unfortunately, the international leadership development profession has not succeeded in delivering the quality of leaders the world now needs. The reason is that there are so many diverse theories, philosophies, perspectives, and training initiatives, that most people are left confused. This reflects in a confused world.

At the same time, a quantum leap is taking place and our current leadership development industry has become old-school. It is time for something totally new.

The quantum leap.

A quantum leap is a fundamental change that occurs quickly and radically in comparison to evolutionary change and transformation or a paradigm shift, that occurs over time. A paradigm shift is a shift in a mindset, igniting a new level of consciousness and awareness.

When the two interface we have a powerful change agent that transforms everything and everyone. Something like a tsunami. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of a quantum leap including a paradigm shift.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic

In only a few months the world was turned upside-down. Nobody was prepared for the consequences of the COVID pandemic. Suddenly there was an urgency to get new logistics, social structures, laws, infrastructure, and research in place. New vaccines were developed while a whole new lifestyle that includes how we do business, practice religion, facilitate social interaction, and implement education, were put in place.

The world now looks much different from what it was like in October 2019. The effect of the quantum leap is radical and permanent. Nobody is left untouched and there is no turning back.

The genetic shift

Now we are experiencing a quantum leap on a genetic level. We are undergoing a genetic shift[i] as our DNA blueprint, which contains the codes for our health, wealth, happiness, success, and prosperity, is being upgraded. New power and potential are being released. No one will be left untouched and there is no turning back.

New leaders

The world now needs real, authentic leaders who are our new pathfinders, mapmakers, and way-showers to stand up and take in their place. Leadership is no more defined by power, possessions, and positions. Leadership is now defined by the quality of person you are. Power, positions, and possessions do not guarantee you to be a real, quality, authentic leader.

Bad leadership example

We find an excellent example of a former US president occupying the Whitehouse with all the power, possessions, and positions but with no real leadership skills. The fact is that more than 70 million people resonated with this value system and supported this ego-driven path. The result was not only destruction but anarchy and insurrection.

The questions are, what is authentic leadership? Who are authentic leaders? Do you qualify as an authentic leader? How do we develop authentic leaders?

To find answers to these questions we need to start at the beginning and lay a whole new foundation while creating a new mindset about leaders and leadership.

Leader, leadership, and DNA

The word leader comes from ‘leido’ meaning to show the way. Leadership is the process of ‘showing the way’. The questions are, what way? From where to where? How do we know when we have arrived? What is authenticity?

We find answers to these questions in our DNA. You cannot mention authenticity without including our original authentic DNA blueprint and success barcode. Currently, humanity is undergoing a quantum leap, as a genetic shift, to authenticity. The era of authentic living and leading is here. See the series of short books on authentic living and leading.

Our DNA blueprint and authenticity

In previous articles, we outlined not only the genetic shift but also described the importance of our DNA Success blueprint that holds the codes to all our health, wealth happiness, success, and prosperity. This connected part of self is also known as our authentic self, higher self, real-me, best-me, and/or best-self.

We also found that we have a New Success DNA and a new Leadership DNA, just waiting to be recovered. For this, we need a new intelligence. Power Intelligence (PI). Power Intelligence is the intelligence of the future. More about this in upcoming articles

Disconnection

Unfortunately, we became disconnected from our original DNA blueprint, lost the plot, and devolved. A delusional self we call the shadow ego-self, developed out of the disconnection, chaos, misinformation, delusion, and lies.

This means we have a make-believe self that is not real. This is a lost, confused, dark shadow version of who we truly are. And yes, this includes all of us – even the Pope. The reason is, we are human. Ps. I made friends with my shadow ego-self and even named her. She is Elaine.

Inner battle

The shadow ego-self and the authentic self, come from different places, have different views and opposing values. There is an inner battle going on between these two parts of self. Whoever wins this battle on the inside, determines our decision-making process that determines what happens on the outside.

Authentic leaders and decision-making

An authentic leader knows their authentic self and is also deeply aware of their own shadow ego-self and the ongoing inner battle between the two. They also have the skills and tools to make the right choices at the right time without their egos getting in the way. This process benefits all.

Where you come from determines where you go

The authentic self leads to success and prosperity while the shadow egos-elf leads to destruction. Where you are coming from will determine where you are going and what the end destination will be.

We only have one of two choices. Either you come from the connected authentic self or the disconnected shadow ego-self. Where you come from determines where you go. Make your choice. It is as uncomplicated as that.

So, the question is, who is the authentic leader, and do you and I qualify? A master artist brings us answers.

Leadership lessons from the Michael Angelo

In the painting below, Michelangelo depicts the beginning and end of all human problems, suffering, illness, poverty, struggle, and stress. On the left side, the Creator is depicted as a young man leisurely relaxing on a planet. Here we find peace, harmony, and a care-free existence without worry, stress, or strain. He is tranquil, without any pressure, rush, lack, sickness, or aging. Restricting forces are absent – including clothing. It is a life of total freedom, wellbeing, connection, love, and compassion.

He is also reaching out to others who are caught up in their circumstances. He is showing the Path back home … Here we find the first authentic leader in action.

Cramped within a mindset

On the other hand, we find humanity depicted as people cramped within a mindset, depicted as a skull. They are disconnected from the Creator, from the Source of all life. Fear, anguish, pain, despair, and even agony are evident in the cramped space where people are struggling to survive or escape their circumstances. People look lost, sick, aging, and desperate for a solution to their dark, frustrating, meaningless, impoverished, and confusing circumstances.

Wisdom

The one positive aspect is a bearded old man (depicting age/wisdom), searching for a solution. He seeks reconnection and the healing of the fabric of life. He is reaching outside the 'skull', the mindset, outside the circumstances, outside the situation people find themselves in. All his efforts are focused on getting to the root of the real problem. His aim and commitment are to solve the real, source of all dilemmas - get reconnected. In his wisdom, he knows the rest il follow.

He move beyond the others, reaches outside the mindset, and begins to reconnect with Source, the Creator, and the quality of life it brings. He's not struggling with the circumstances and people within the mindset (skull). He knows something we don't. So do all authentic leaders.