It’s funny how life works sometimes. Last week right after I wrote this post, I came across a great example that related to leadership in some of my reading. I wished I had seen it before that post, so decided this morning it’s worth doing a “part two” to that post, just to share this story with you.

Last week when we talked about what happens when leaders derail is that they sometimes lose sight of their humility. I think it may be fear that causes that, and the puffer fish is a great example of what happens. When a puffer fish is threatened, they swallow huge amounts of water or air, causing them to grow several times their normal size. This allows them, in most instances, to not become prey for another animal. If you take a look at this picture, it also doesn’t make them very pretty. On one of my first visits to Barbados, I bought a puffer fish spine, all blown up, from a street vendor. I was fascinated with how big this little fish had become.

What we need to remember is that being humble is about not boasting or exaggerating our size. We often live in a “fake it till you make it” kind of world, and in reality that’s not authentic leadership. So, I encourage you, don’t become the puffer fish in your leadership style. It may work for the fish, but it’s not only unattractive but usually unsuccessful in leadership.

All leaders must grow to be truly successful. Sometimes as leaders, we just get too comfortable in what we are doing. We believe we have learned everything we need to be successful, and we stop searching for ways to grow. I don’t think we ever stop learning all we need to learn.

So how do you grow? Here are five tips for ways to grow as a leader:

• Find a mentor. There are many different leadership styles. Seek out someone whose leadership style you admire and ask them to mentor you.  Chances are they will be flattered that you asked. In doing that, remember that the mentor isn’t the one who does all the work in a mentoring situation. Learn what you can and apply it. Without that application, it’s not real growth.
• Books.  Read, read, and read. There are a lot of books published about leadership. Find authors you like and be sure you read their books. My goal for 2010 is to read at least one new book. Again, don’t just read. Be sure you apply what you are reading to begin to have more effective leadership.  Some of my favorites are books by Seth Godin, Ken Blanchard, and Andy Andrews.
• Become self-aware. Really sit down and evaluate your motives in leadership. The best leaders are ones who approach leaders from a servant leadership thought process. Leaders who believe they are there to serve the people  they lead will find a much more productive experience.
• You might want to enroll in a leadership coaching class or seminar. These can be very effective in learning new ideas on how to approach things.
• It is also important to remember that all of this learning doesn’t really help unless you apply it. In Seth Godin’s book “Linchpin,” he calls this “SHIP.” You must ship, get those ideas out there, try them, and see what works!

What things have I forgotten here? How have you found growth as a leader? What are some of the ways you have grown in leadership, personally or professionally, and how did you reach that growth?

You will recall from an earlier post this week, I talked about Seth Godin’s book “Linchpin” in a post titled “Are You Indispensable?” Today as a part of his blog, he sent the video below, which I understand will be an ongoing discussion about linchpins. Because I believe this is so important to the leaders of today and tomorrow, I will share these here with you. Enjoy!

Linchpin: GaryVee from Seth Godin on Vimeo.

The dictionary defines the word authenticity as “the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine.” When we are authentic, we are our “true selves.” The masks come off and we stop trying to be someone we aren’t. Sometimes in our lives, it seems we are pushed into a corner and expected to be something else. I’ve had those times in my life. In the end, however, I struggle with it. I tend to be a “WYSIWYG” type of person. There’s nothing to hide, it is what it is.

In leadership, being authentic is important. It is what builds relationships. It is was creates a connection where people want to be a part of what you are doing. I remember once having a boss who was perhaps one of the most authentic people I had ever met. When he spoke, people listened. He never tried to be someone other than who he was, and it worked. In that instance, it allowed him to build a remarkable business because people love working with someone who is real. I learned a lot in that job.

Then there are those times when we’re asked to not show our authentic self. Can you recall a time like that in your life? It’s not a comfortable place to be, and in the end, I believe it costs us. It impacts how others view us because people can easily spot a phony. It costs us in how we feel about ourself because we don’t like being someone other than the person we were created to be. And in the end, it costs us the relationships and trust we may have built.

Sometimes I think we try to stifle our authentic self by simply trying to tell people what they want to hear. In the end, though, leaders do others a disservice in doing this. Even if it’s bad news, it’s better to be authentic. It builds trust.

One of my favorite quotes about authenticity comes from Andrew Cohen: “The authentic self is the best part of a human being. It’s the part of you that already cares, that is already passionate about evolution. When your authentic self miraculously awakens and becomes stronger than your ego, then you will truly begin to make a difference in this world. You will literally enter into a partnership with the creative principle.”

Think about that. Isn’t leadership about really making a difference? When you tap into that authenticity that is you, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. What will you do to be sure you are applying authenticity to your leadership today?