Those who remember this famous line from the early radio and television show “The Lone Ranger” recall it fondly as quite arguably the very first masked superhero (five years ahead of Superman!). This time of year we see more than a few masks on adults and children alike with Halloween right around the corner. This line also brought to my mind a related leadership question. How many leaders are also wearing a mask, a mask that many of us cannot see yet it hides the real leaders, the real person, inside?
Of course, what I am referring to is being an authentic leader. In our current challenging environment it is not uncommon for people to take on whatever persona they feel will provide them the greatest possibility of retaining or advancing in their current role. They, in essence, “mask” their true attitudes and behaviors and replace them with behaviors they believe will best help them survive the current challenges. In fact, studies show the greatest contributor of stress in the workplace is trying to maintain a persona that strays too far and for too long from one’s natural attitudes and behaviors.
So how do we get behind the mask? How do we know we are hiring the genuine person we think we are hiring? How do we know we are promoting the next leader based on who they really are and not someone we think we know based on what we see? The answer to all these questions is the same. There is not a doctor on the planet that is going to prescribe a cure to a medical problem without some level of diagnosis. They can ill afford to go solely based on what they see and even what the patients tell them. They use a variety of tools and instruments to diagnose the issue to ensure they prescribe the right solution to the issue.
Finding out who a person really is follows much the same process. Assessments to provide insights into a person’s attitude allows the organization to determine if they will be a good fit for the culture. Assessments that address behavior and personality help determine if a new leader or a new employee will be a team player or potentially be the catalyst for breaking the team apart. Assessments that provide insights into a person’s motivation can make the difference between losing a great employee and providing them with the challenges that both motivate them personally and provide value to the organization. All of these insights lie behind the “mask” we wear to determine what we want others to see.
Assessments also apply to the organization as a whole. Assessing the organization as a whole provides a unique opportunity to see what the net effect of multiple “masks” in the business units, teams and divisions. Whether looking at the prevailing culture or identifying strong operational areas, the value of getting closer to the ground truth of how the organization is performing is tremendous. This is especially important as many organizations are going through strategic planning and budgeting processes in advance of the new year.
Authentic leadership is acting in a way that true to oneself regardless of the conditions. For the next week or so we will see many masks on children and adults as they enjoy the Halloween holiday. Afterward, how much of the real you will the rest of us see?
Lead Well.