Scenario: We received a question from a life sciences leader who feels pressure to conform to a specific leadership style.

The leader wrote, “I recently started a new job at a company that is known for its fast paced, aggressive, and results-driven culture. To succeed, one is expected to be assertive, decisive, and confident. I have noticed that I, along with some members of my team, often do not feel heard and are not recognized for the work we do. I like the work I do, but lately I’ve been unmotivated and become quieter in meetings. This has started to impact my performance, and others have started to notice. What can I do to bring my full self to work in this environment? And how can I help my team do the same?"

Below are three leadership moves that can be used to embrace authenticity as a leader.

Identify your personal values and use them as a compass in your leadership style. In Advisory Board Fellowship, we discuss the competency of “courageous authenticity,” which means being willing to say the hard things and being trusted by your team to do so. To be courageously authentic and use your values as a guide, ask yourself:

• What do you stand for as a leader?
• Where are you willing — and not willing — to compromise? Your organization has values, but it's crucial for you to define your own values and communicate them to your team.
• How are you living out these values? Are you consistently keeping those values in mind?
• Are there values that you could be emphasizing more? If you're not emphasizing these values, why not?

Knowing how to lead from a place of strength not only improves your life — it also boosts your engagement at work. There are many ways to discover and learn your strengths. One tool is the CliftonStrengths, which Advisory Board Fellowship enrollees take to learn about their strengths and better understand how to apply their learnings. Understanding your strengths can help you unleash your full potential. Ask yourself:

• What characteristics and strengths do you bring to your team? How can you explain the unique value you bring?
• Are you someone who easily wins people over? Try being intentional about spending a few minutes at the opening of each conversation for casual discussion.
• Do you build trusting relationships that motivate others to work with you? Does this make it easier to inspire people to tackle difficult tasks?
• Do you thoroughly assess a problem from all angles before making critical decisions? Does your team trust you to do so?

Think about four or five strengths that your team values about your leadership.

Understanding your strengths is essential, but it's equally important to harness their power and consistently leverage them. This enables your team to not only recognize and appreciate your personal brand but also strengthen it over time. Reflect on what success means to you, as societal beliefs and personal identities can often cloud or influence our vision of success. To lead from a place that aligns with your values, you may need to let go of some existing beliefs.

By understanding and using your strengths, and challenging preconceived notions of success, you can lead authentically and make a meaningful impact.

Consider the following questions:

• What existing beliefs about leadership have you learned from society or a prior leader?
• Are there specific leadership qualities that drain you or feel inauthentic?
• What qualities and values do you want to embody as a leader that differ from societal norms?

Ignite your organization's future with transformative leadership and prioritize long-term success. Set your organization apart by empowering your leaders to advance your priorities by reshaping their thinking, perception, and actions.