Study: Clear stance, clear direction | Page 26

26 | 09 TRUST DESPITE CONSTANT INSECURITY Authenticity – a lever for a new understanding of leadership and organisation The study shows that authenticity – defined as CREDIBILITY and RELIABILITY resulting from the correspondence between leadership behaviour and inner values – is a powerful factor, one that can contribute towards corporate success. Especially in the current state of transformational change – from the energy transition to the euro crisis, from globalisation to digitalisation – it is important for companies to devote special attention to such factors. After all, the speed and complexity of the corporate environment mean that companies have to adapt constantly and be prepared to change at any time. In such uncertain times, leaving room for authenticity can create the trust and security needed for employees to go along with, and lend their support to, change. Companies can create an environment that promote authentic behaviour on the part of their managers and employees – and thus achieve more than if they just demand authenticity in their leadership model. Earlier in this report, we suggested ways in which companies can create such an environment. They include in particular: 1 VALUING professional expertise and power vested in personal attributes as opposed to purely functional power 2 CREATING A CORPORATE CULTURE that values individuality and at the same time promotes a sense of belonging 3 PUTTING IN PLACE WORK PROCESSES and a working environment that, through their judicious design, enable autonomous decision-making reduce obstacles to authenticity Starting points for an environment that promotes authenticity