Excellence in Mind

In Search of Authenticity

Authentic leadership is not a license to simply say whatever comes to mind. Of course, authentic leadership is rooted in strong values and ideals, consistent behavior, and leading by example. But it is also about being aware of how one’s own behavior affects others, the ability to adapt to others, and emotional intelligence.

And unlike IQ, emotional intelligence—EQ—continues to develop throughout one’s entire life. Excellence in Mind coaching helps people realize their emotional potential and maximize their professional performance and leadership capabilities. Above all, authentic leaders are at peace with themselves; they accept and like who they are. That is why authentic leadership is more than just a pursuit of peak performance; it is rooted in a deeper sense of self—excellence in mind.

Authentic leadership –

a model for a changing world

We live in an era of constant change. The upheavals and disruptions triggered by the digital transformation are not only more fundamental; they are also happening much faster than ever before. There are hardly any industries or sectors left that are spared these changes; even companies that are currently riding a wave of success face enormous challenges and must initiate change where many—both insiders and outsiders—do not yet recognize the need.

In these times, corporate responsibility is both a professional and a personal challenge. On the one hand, there is a hunger for direction, a need for leadership and vision; on the other, there are dynamics that are difficult to predict and that demand ever faster and more immediate responses. As a result, leaders must constantly understand and assess new technologies—such as automation, big data, and blockchain—and determine their significance for their own companies. These are technologies that could potentially turn their business models completely upside down.

How does one lead successfully in this challenging environment? When competence alone is no longer enough to transform fears and concerns into positive energy and provide direction? Amid the digital transformation, the core responsibilities of leaders are shifting dramatically. More than ever, there is a need for meaning-makers, culture-shapers, and routine-breakers: authentic leaders who know who they are, what they dream of, and whom people follow because they know how to build relationships with others. William George developed the model of authentic leadership at the beginning of this millennium, thereby laying the foundation for “the gold standard of leadership” (HBR 01/2015).