Authentic leadership in a time of volatility

Ahmed shares insights on these matters and more: 

• Authentic leadership is not about being “soft”. It is centered around holding people accountable, being responsible, and driving accountability to the last mile, all while respecting the people involved. 

• When addressing critical turning points, good leaders actively listen to those around them to understand what is not working and what changed that led to the current struggle. The best leaders will leverage and combine this insight with transparent communication about the commitment needed to navigate the path forward. 

• Leadership is a two-way relationship where the leader evolves, and the people they lead evolve. The best leadership happens when both parties are learning from each other, making the relationship “mutual” and “purposeful”.  

• Instead of striving for unattainable “perfection,” leaders should commit to the mantra: “We always need to be better than yesterday”. Focusing on incremental improvement helps reach the next level. 

• Leaders are humans who have their own flaws, mistakes, and weaknesses. They are not “invincibles” and should not be expected to show a “poker face”. It is essential for leaders to “have fun, enjoy the journey,” and remember to pause and breathe. This encourages a culture of self-acceptance and vulnerability.  

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss our sister podcast, Future of the Firm. In a recent episode, we interviewed multiple experts from Source on the topic of how to talk to your clients about value.