ABSTRACT
The organization had decided what 'type' of leader was the most successful and selected accordingly. Internal candidates for promotion to these positions learned what was rewarded and behaved that way, even when it went against their nature. The result was a stressful environment for those leaders, as they had to suppress their natural selves, and also for the team members who were often at the receiving end of stress-induced behavior. Assessing and sharing natural gifts and talents as a team allows leaders to see what they are missing and identify ways to supplement and/or develop the leadership team. Cultivating authentic leadership in our organization also requires cultivating good practices. It means teaching our leaders the habits that will bring about the desired results. The path to authentic leadership is through awareness and accountability. Authentic leadership is a competitive advantage for individual leaders and organizations alike.
