The Importance Of Authenticity In Leadership

In today’s day and age, authenticity is a crucial piece of the leadership puzzle. People don’t want fake, inauthentic leaders. They want someone they feel they can relate to because the person they’re following is real.

Sadly, too many leaders in the public arena aren’t authentic. They only claim to be.

Honestly, I’ve struggled with this as I’ve watched bloggers and leaders alike fall from their high horses. These leaders claimed to hold their marriage in high esteem. News breaks that they had an affair or abused their spouse. Some leaders say they value their faith. Only to have their actions betray their words.

These leaders all claimed to be authentic. None of them were. They put on a front they knew would sell books, garner an audience, and make them money.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Spider-Man: Far From Home

A Reel Leadership Article

Tom Holland returns to the fun role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Spider-Man: Far From Home picks up shortly after the recent Avengers: Endgame movie.

Peter Parker is still reeling from the aftermath of Endgame. His friend and mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Junior), is dead. He’s trying to figure out his place in the world he recently returned to. And he has a big legacy to live up to.

Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Jake Gyllenhall as Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home

Not only that, Peter has a love interest, a classmate named MJ (Zendaya). His class is going on an overseas trip (hence the Far From Home subtitle) and he has a big plan. He’s going to ask MJ out.

All of Peter’s plans go in the trash when something crazy happens. A water elemental who looks a lot like Hydro-Man, a Spider-Man villain who controls water, attacks London while Peter and his class are there.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton movies are easy to pick out from the rest of the movies you may have seen. They are quirky and dark. They tell stories in a way you will remember them.

His first big screen movie was Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. From there, he directed Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Batman Returns. Then he conceived the cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Leadership lessons from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated film. The dark fantasy musical tells the story of a disenchanted Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) as he tries to fill an emptiness in his soul. Throughout his journey to Christmas Town to trying to bring joy to people he doesn’t understand, Jack Skellington fumbles his way back to a realization he didn’t know he wanted.

It’s time for the latest Reel Leadership article. Will you join me on the journey through The Nightmare Before Christmas as we explore the leadership lessons you will find?

Be An Authentic Leader

You will be found out. People will begin to realize you’re not who you say you are. They’ll see the true you.

And that’s the truth if you’re not leading authentically.

People don’t want to be led by a phony. They want real people being authentic. This means flaws and all.

Yet too many leaders don’t want to show their authentic self.

These leaders try to speak the language of the people they’re currently leading, thinking it will make them relevant. These leaders will hide their flaws instead of relishing in their brokenness.

What Is An Authentic Leader?

In my time as a leader, I’ve struggled. I didn’t have the right words to say, especially when a student passed away in a car accident or another student struggled with a bad breakup.

15 Encouragements For Young Leaders

One of the greatest joys of my life has been pouring into the lives of young leaders. Seeing the hunger and drive of their youth is invigorating.

And yet we see young leaders fall to the wayside far too often. Hurt, discouraged, ready to give up.

This is why we must find ways to stay encouraged. A discouraged leader does his team no good.

Today I want to offer you 15 encouragements as you take the leadership journey. Some will apply to situations you’re currently facing. Others will apply to the situations that will be coming. Tuck these pieces of encouragement away and pull them out when you need them.

15 encouragements for young leaders

You’ll never fully arrive: What? This is an encouragement? Yes, if I do say so. Remember, the end will always be elusive. There will be times of frustration because you can’t see the end. That’s because it’s not there. Don’t stress arriving, enjoy the journey.