ABSTRACT

Authentic Leadership’s core maxims to ‘know thyself’ and ‘to thine own self be true’ have as their focal point the issue of self. If this self is to be both known and owned as an Authentic Leader, then it should sit at the centre of any discussion of Authentic Leadership Development. The idea of the possible self is important to Authentic Leadership Development because it can represent a new stage on an individual’s developmental journey. Importantly, it is also a conceptual link between our past, present and future and, as such, gives meaning, organisation and direction towards that future. However, in terms of personal and leadership authenticity, a goal system doesn’t just need coherence–it also needs to be self-determined and self-congruent; that is, congruent with the needs of the self-concept and the related behaviours that will help movement towards an envisioned possible self.