Becoming a Leader Is Becoming Yourself

People yearn for leaders who are authentic, who show their own face and not a game face, who find and use their voice in appropriate ways and act with a tangible sense of integrity. Those who engage in the process of leadership—each of us, at some point—want to do so as our true self. But staying true to one’s self is not easy. We are continually moving in and out of authenticity. We are present one moment and absent the next. We often say “yes” when we want to say “no.” We act from our core values some of the time, but give them a wink when the heat is on. There is no formula for being integral and authentic. Becoming and being ourselves requires confidence and courage. Drawing on the author’s 40 years in leadership training, this book discusses the things we can do along the way—recognizing our strengths and limitations, speaking truth to power, trusting our companions—as we strive to fulfill our leadership potential. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Russ S. Moxley is an honorary Senior Fellow and part-time faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a principal of Moxley & Associates, LLC. He lives in Greensboro.

Russ S. Moxley

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 192
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2015
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9738-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1877-7
Imprint: McFarland

Preface and Acknowledgments 9

Part One: Setting the Context

1. Leadership Is Everyone’s Vocation 19

Part Two: The Journey to Authentic Leadership

2. Becoming a Leader Is Becoming Yourself 35

3. The Journey Home 49

4. Becoming and Being Authentic 70

5. Becoming and Being a Whole Person 88

6. Staying True to Yourself 109

Part Three: Related Ideas

7. Authentic Leadership and Power 123

8. Organizations Worthy of the Soul 138

9. Embracing Paradoxes 160

Postscript: Leadership Development Is Personal Development Is Spiritual Development 179

References 185

Index 189

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