The importance of authenticity and decision-making in leadership

In today’s volatile and challenging business environment, effective business leadership is more important than ever. So what makes a good leader? Is it their skills? Intelligence? Or is it the quality of their character?   Roger Delves, Dean of Qualifications and Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education at Hult, argues that authenticity and integrity are integral qualities of responsible and inspiring leadership in a VUCA environment. Roger recently led a thought-provoking webinar in conjunction with Ivy Exec discussing the role of authenticity in leadership and strategies for decision-making based on a framework of core values. You can watch the webinar below or read on for four key insights and inspiring quotes on leading with integrity. Trust is an essential aspect of leadership â€Å"We lead only with the permission of the people who follow us.†   Roger Delves,  Dean of Qualifications and Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education A good leader must inspire people to follow them. And people choose to follow leaders they are prepared to trust. According to a 2017 survey conducted by the consulting firm Tolero Solutions, 45% of people cite a lack of trust in leadership as the biggest issue impacting their work. Earning the trust of your employees, team, and the wider organization is central to becoming—and remaining—an effective leader. New research from the Ken Blanchard Companies highlights the fact that employees who trust their leaders perform better and are less likely to leave the company. Trust inspires followers. And, by definition, a leader without followers isn’t a leader at all. Integrity and authenticity forge trust â€Å"Authenticity is about being true to yourself and being other-regarding—putting other people before yourself.†-  Roger Delves,  Dean of Qualifications and Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education Trust in a leader is built on the belief that they are acting with integrity and working in the best interests of the team or organization. In uncertain times, having confidence in the decision-making capacity of leaders is especially critical. Trustworthy leaders demonstrate their integrity by consistently making decisions they believe to be right, without selfish or ulterior motives. What we believe to be right is based on our personal values. Consciously or unconsciously, our decision-making is influenced by our values. These are the are deeply-rooted, subjective beliefs that some things are more desirable than others. For example, you may be driven by values like honesty or compassion, success or generosity. Valuing honesty over compassion could influence your behavior in different circumstances, such as delivering bad news or facing conflict. Likewise, valuing success over generosity—or vice-versa—will guide your decision-making in very different ways. Authentic leaders consistently make decisions aligned with values that are solid, tangible, and good â€Å"Leaders think, consider, and then make decisions. How they think, what they choose to consider, and what criteria they use in making decisions, will inform every aspect of the organization’s success or otherwise.†-  Roger Delves,  Dean of Qualifications and Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education Often, we inherit our ways of thinking and our values from our parents or those around us at a young age. One step towards authentic leadership—taking action based on a solid framework of values—is self-reflection, examining and challenging the values that influence our decision-making. If a value isn’t challenged, it could be unconsciously coloring your decisions. Getting to the core of what you really believe and dismissing values rooted in prejudice, such as ageism, sexism, or racism, will help you to make decisions based on a concrete set of good principles. Integrity means being true to these good principles, even in the face of temptation. In the business world, this temptation might come in the form of a bonus, a corner office, or simply taking credit for someone else’s hard work. Good leaders lead selflessly in temptation and difficulty, always guided by values that emphasize the collective interests of the group. This makes for leaders we can trust to be consistent in their thoughts, decisions, and actions. What is right isn’t always popular—authentic leaders do what’s right anyway â€Å"Values forged in the fire of experience are values worth keeping. Integrity is underpinned by values.†-  Roger Delves,  Dean of Qualifications and Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education Sometimes the temptation that challenges our values and therefore our authenticity, is the desire for being liked. From the school room to the boardroom, we have all been in situations where we may disagree with the actions or attitudes of the group, but a desire for belonging prevents us from speaking up. When we align ourselves with the crowd for the sake of acceptance, rather than acting on what we know to be true, we are undermining our integrity. Authentic leaders must always act in alignment with their values and do what is right even—and perhaps especially—when what is right isn’t what is popular. Roger explains, â€Å"Don’t be a leader if you want to be liked, because sooner or later you have to make decisions that people won’t like you for. Sometimes, the right thing to do is downsize your department, and you have to have the courage to do the right thing, not the thing which is going to get you liked.† Do you have what it takes to lead with integrity? What are the values that color your decision-making? At Hult, we understand that we need inspiring leaders in today’s challenging times. That’s why we put leadership development at the heart of all of our programs. Find out more about how you will hone your leadership skills as part of our Global Executive MBA. If you would like to find out more about Hult’s global business programs,  download a brochure here. Written by Hult contributing blogger Katie Reynolds who is a freelance writer based in London. Originally from Michigan in the U.S., she relocated to the U.K. in 2010 to pursue a masters degree at Hertford College, Oxford. Today, she writes on topics including business, higher education, healthcare, and culture. Grow your leadership capabilities with an MBA in international business at Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Hult’s Executive Track program grooms elite students who excel academically and show leadership potential, or give your career a boost with our Masters in International Business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .