Do You “Fake It” to Succeed? (Video)

The higher you go in any organization, the more the leadership culture tends to solidify around you. This increases – or decreases – the chances that you’ll fit in. Too many fast trackers see this as a reason to conform to the culture around them and thus too many end up feeling like they’re faking it and becoming inauthentic. Inauthentic leaders alienate the very people they’re trying to motivate and set themselves up for leadership failure and personal disappointment as they move farther and farther away from an authentic leadership presence; one that motivates both themselves and the people they work with.

This is true for women and men alike, but women have a special challenge. Quite often women don’t feel like we fit into the predominantly male leadership culture by virtue of the behaviors, attitudes and values that are fundamental to who we are. So quite often we end up “faking it” without even knowing it. The problem is that this catches up with us one way or another. Either we alienate people we work with, we alienate ourselves – or both. Don’t be “that gal,” the one that fakes it and fails.

Of course this advice can be easier said than done when you’re working in a culture that really challenges your authentic self. There are two strategies to pursue when you find yourself in this kind of job: (1) let the culture challenge you to expand your authentic style in order to be more effective and (2) look more deeply into who you are, going to the core of your character in a way that helps you intentionally highlight the most unique and motivating parts of your authentic personality in your leadership style.

When you identify your authentic personality, you’ll start shaping your personal brand more intentionally and powerfully, and you’ll know what kind of business culture you’ll thrive in. At this point, two things can happen (1) you might find your company’s existing culture valuing you more deeply because now you value yourself more, and (2) you’ll know clearly what kind of culture will support you personally so you can excel. If it’s where you are, great! If not, when you move on, you’ll be more likely to find a good fit in a culture that encourages you to really thrive.

To do this, you have to delve beneath the MBA-speak about leadership and values we usually hear and go to the core of what makes you uniquely and authentically human. You have to go beyond “character” and find “the character” who you personally resonate with most genuinely. Watch this video for greater insight into this approach.

If you’re intrigued with how to learn more about the stories and characters that you resonate with personally, and how to bring them into your leadership style and personal brand, please accept this invitation to a complimentary webinar and receive a free personality assessment when you register.  Find out whether you’re the Creator or the Queen – or another character who will tap you into your most powerful leadership strengths.

A version of this post originally appeared on Smartblog on Leadership.

Check out the resources in the InPower Coaching EQ at Work and Soft Skills Research Index.