Authenticity

Those of you who read this blog but aren’t from Iowa may not realize that we have been in a Presidential election cycle for nearly a year. Because Iowa is the first state in the nation to hold a Presidential primary—what we know as a caucus—we have been inundated with all things political for quite awhile. Since June, the University I serve has hosted four presidential candidates, and may yet have a fifth before February 1. Someone once said that politics is to Iowa what basketball is to Indiana. There is some truth to that claim.

One of the lead stories in this primary cycle has to be the way in which the outside candidates for both parties continue to hold their own in the national polls. I am not aware of one political pro that argued that either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders would be this competitive so far into the primary season. Trump is the bombastic New York billionaire who was the host of one of the highest rated reality television shows of all time, while Bernie Sanders—the Socialist then Independent then Social Democrat from Vermont—had little name recognition, no organization and no money at the beginning of his campaign. Two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, both of these long-shot outsiders may win. So the question that is begging to be asked is “why?” Why are Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders doing so well?

I believe that the answer to that question is quite simple. The one common trait that these two candidates share is that they are perceived to be authentic.

Authenticity is the fifth of seven character virtues I am identifying in this blog. It is the characteristic of being genuine and real. Authentic leaders possess what others have called the “it” factor. That is, leaders who exude authenticity tend to be approachable. They are not as stuffy or formal, and they often don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. In brief, they’re people you just kind of want to be around.

Though he is a billionaire and therefore figuratively from a different world, Trump has managed to communicate authenticity through unorthodox responses in debates, or through outlandish statements in his stump speeches. When he recently told an audience that he would bomb the expletive out of ISIS, he used crude but very real language that captures how many citizens imagine themselves responding were they to be standing in his shoes. Sanders’ authenticity is revealed in the way that he comes across as everyone’s slightly eccentric uncle. He’s a little disheveled, grouchy, claims to have only one suit, and says exactly what he thinks, no nuance involved. We’ve all shared a Thanksgiving meal with this kind of relative, and they’re interesting people because they’re so genuine—and because you don’t see them for another year.

It behooves leaders to think about the virtue of authenticity. Away from the political circus and in our own, more real, spheres of influence, good leaders practice the virtue of authenticity by intentionally taking the time to care about the people near to them. [bctt tweet=”Good leaders practice the virtue of authenticity by taking the time to care about the people near to them.” via=”no”]

Authenticity comes from knowing—really knowing—the people we lead. [bctt tweet=”Authenticity comes from knowing—really knowing—the people we lead.” via=”no”]

Organizations that are led by authentic people generally have the feel of a caring and a competitively successful culture. That’s because in the process of achieving a goal, colleagues realize that half of fun is in the getting there—together.