Roundtable Presentation 6th World Congress on Positive Psychology 2019

A Framework For Authentic Leadership (#279)

Andy Skidmore 1
  1. Burn Bright, Thornleigh, NSW, Australia

This submission will focus on how we can develop and grow authentic leaders within a positive psychology framework. Authentic leadership emphasises self-awareness, strong values, building genuine relationships and adopting an other’s first mindset. It is a part of a larger theory of optimal self-esteem which addresses relational authenticity, unbiased processing and authentic behaviour. Authentic leadership encourages a strengths-based approach to leadership and is underpinned by positive wellbeing practices, such as coaching, mindfulness and self-reflection.  

The submission will present an Authentic Leadership Framework and a Self-Awareness Framework that are currently used in practice by Burn Bright. These frameworks are informed by scientifically-validated wellbeing research that has been collected from leadership and wellbeing programs, delivered by Burn Bright.

Authentic leadership can be developed regardless of any formal leadership position as it explores one's relationship with oneself first, allowing for the development of self-leadership.

Fostering authenticity allows the capacity to develop people who will flourish when placed in leadership roles. For those leaders who hold an official leadership position, an authentic leader through their own increased self-awareness, self-regulation and positive modelling, can foster the development of authenticity in their followers. Through this process, we can build and create authentic organisations that are flourishing.