How To Discover Your True North And Become An Authentic Leader

In his book, True North, Bill George shows you how to discover your true north - your internal compass that guides you successfully through life. "Only when you discover your true north can you unlock your full potential as a leader and human being," explains George.

In the book, published a few months ago, George shares with you how to:

Cultivate self-awareness
Define your values
Find the "sweet spots": of your motivated capabilities
Build your support team and lead an integrated life
Make the journey from "I' to "We" as an empowering leader
Become a global leader

Bill George

George shares profiles and stories from more than 100 leaders who in their own words explain how they discovered their true north.

He also explains the characteristics differences needed to be a leader in the Twenty-First Century versus the Twentieth-Century. Today's leaders, he says need to be:

Purpose-drive versus charismatic
Globally focused versus U. S.-centric
Thinking long-term versus short-term
Using a distributed leadership style vs. a hierarchal leadership style
Taking the institution's best interests in mind instead of being self-centered
Learning through crucibles versus having the "perfect resume"

Another important teaching from George is how to define your values, principles and ethical boundaries:

Values: The relative importance of the things that matter in your life.

Leadership Principles: A set of standards used in leading others, derived from your values. Principles are values translated into action.

Ethical Boundaries: The limits placed on your actions, based on your standards of ethical behavior.

Finally, George explains that to bring out the best from teammates, authentic leaders must develop trusting relationships based on mutual respect. "There is no substitute. Like loyalty, respect provides a basis for empowerment, but leaders must earn it," says George.

Here are some things empowering leaders do to gain the respect of their colleagues:

Treat others as equals
Listen actively
Learn from people
Share life stories
Align around the mission

George is the former CEO of Medtroinc and Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School (HBS), where he teaches leadership in executive education programs.

You can share your own journey to discover your true north.

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