Five tips on appearing authentic to your subordinates

In order for a manager to build rapport with their subordinates so that they can motivate them and inspire them to give of their best at all times, the subordinates must believe the manager is genuinely authentic. This means the manager acts in accordance with their own personal values, is honest and unpretentious. Here are five pieces of advice on how you too can come across as a more authentic manager to your subordinates.

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Admit to your own mistakes

According to LeadershipNow.com, an authentic manager (or any other person) must first of all be able to acknowledge their own mistakes. Do not pretend you are never wrong.

Do not pretend you know everything best

An authentic leader has no problem admitting they do not know something, or that someone else is better at something. If you are always trying to make out you know everything best, not only will you seem inauthentic but also look like someone with low confidence.

Be transparent in communication with subordinates

When communicating with subordinates, either passing on information from company management or talking to them as part of your everyday work, you must always be absolutely transparent and open. Never talk vaguely, nor employ a misleading, political style of communication.

Focus on your strengths

A person seems most authentic when they are doing something they enjoy and do not need to pretend anything. Therefore you should focus on your strengths, develop them, and use them as much as possible in your everyday work.

Follow the same rules you demand from your team members

Nothing threatens the rapport between manager and subordinates like a situation in which a manager demands something from the workers, yet fails to follow the rules themselves. Serve as a role model and do not try to circumvent your own rules or those of management in any way.



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Article source Leadership Now - web focuses on various aspects of leadership
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