RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
  • Agents
  • Brokers
  • Teams
  • Marketing
  • Coaching
  • Technology
  • More
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • Consumer
    • National
    • Our Editors
Join Premier
Sign In
RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
RISMedia
No Result
View All Result

Thoughts on Leadership: Guided by Authenticity

Home Advice
By Gino Blefari, CEO, HomeServices of America
October 1, 2021
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Thoughts on Leadership: Guided by Authenticity

If there’s one word that definitely does not describe the city of Las Vegas, it’s authenticity. This is a place for escape, where showstopping entertainment meets extraordinary dining experiences under the glitzy lights of Las Vegas Boulevard. But maybe when we’re confronted with such geographic charisma, we recognize the importance of authenticity even more.

What is authenticity? It’s a grounded sense of keeping things real. It’s candor, honesty and openness combined with everything you say and do to reflect exactly who you are. Authenticity is essential for leadership because when we’re authentic, we’re confident in ourselves. We can more easily combat the mental vulnerability associated with the challenges of being a leader.

Socrates famously said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”

The phrase is a prerequisite for authenticity. If you don’t know who you are, how can you possibly show other people the truly authentic you?

Part of knowing who you are is knowing your capabilities, and your mental reactions to both the wins and the losses of leadership and life. This is not a one-time exercise; rather, it is a constant journey to discover who you are, and it is directly tied to the effectiveness, productivity, performance and output of your leadership.

Bill George, Harvard Business School professor and author of “True North” wrote in his book: “The truth is, no one can be authentic by trying to be like someone else. There is no doubt you can learn from their experiences, but there is no way you can be successful trying to be like them.”

When you’re authentic, people trust you. When you imitate, people are skeptical that you mean what you say. George says the failure of leaders most often occurs when they aren’t quite sure who they are, when they haven’t developed a strong enough identity or sense of self to be authentic in their work and thus, empower their team to be the best they can be.

This type of authentic leadership also requires vulnerability. When you lose, when goals are not accomplished, you can get real about why and combat challenges with constructive solution-based strategies.

Another aspect of authentic leadership is integrity. What you say you do, you get done. (It’s related to accountability, but it’s the psychological glue that holds accountability together.)

How can authenticity be built up? By identifying your purpose. Why do you lead? Why are you in the role you’re currently in? What is the purpose of your work? Purpose-driven work leads to greater authenticity.

Steve Jobs once said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
There will always be societal and peer pressures pulling at your authenticity, but when you have purpose, when you have Jobs-like courage, when you have a strong sense of self, you can weather the winds of these pressure systems and continue to lead authentically.

So, what’s the message? Last week, I wrote about Jessica Buchanan’s harrowing tale of her kidnapping by Somali bandits. The experience taught her that change happens, and you either let it happen or you control it. The same is true with your identity. Either you create the picture of who you are, or you let someone else sketch it for you. When you are authentic, you are the artist of your self-image. Of course, you are. Because being authentic, at its very essence, is simply being undeniably you.

This article is adapted from Blefari’s weekly, company-wide “Thoughts on Leadership” column from HomeServices of America.

Tags: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesCultureGino BlefariLeadershipProductivityReal Estate BrokerageSuccess Tips
ShareTweetShare
Brit Owen

Brit Owen

Brit Owen is RISMedia’s Email Marketing Specialist where she collaborates with the editorial team to create email campaigns, as well as analyzes campaign data to understand performance. Before RISMedia, Brit worked as a digital marketer for the cybersecurity, healthcare, sports and entertainment, aviation and IT industries. She earned her degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing from Central Connecticut State University. FUN FACT: Brit has been an avid athlete, playing softball, tennis, dancing, wakeboarding and skysking. In 2012, she tried out for the Boston Celtic’s dance team.

Related Posts

Compass
Agents

Compass Expands in Colorado with Affiliation of PorchLight Real Estate Group

July 11, 2025
NAHB Awards Program Now Accepting Applications
Industry News

NAHB Awards Program Now Accepting Applications

July 11, 2025
PAVE
Industry News

HUD, OMB Eliminate Core Policies From Biden-Era Home Appraisal Task Force

July 11, 2025
media
Agents

Rich Media Isn’t a Luxury. It’s Your New Standard.

July 11, 2025
Affordability
Industry News

Housing Affordability Melts as Market Heats Up for Summer

July 11, 2025
HouseAmp
Agents

From Listing to Loan: Integrating Pre-Sale Financing Options into Initial Client Conversations

July 11, 2025
Please login to join discussion
Tip of the Day

5 Benefits of Professional Property Management You’re Missing Out On

Whether you’re a landlord with a single unit or a real estate investor managing a large portfolio, keeping things running smoothly means being on top of every little detail. Read more.

Business Tip of the Day provided by

Recent Posts

  • Compass to Share Its Private Exclusives With Rivals, on Two Conditions
  • Compass Expands in Colorado with Affiliation of PorchLight Real Estate Group
  • NAHB Awards Program Now Accepting Applications

Categories

  • Spotlights
  • Best Practices
  • Advice
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Social Media

The Most Important Real Estate News & Events

Click below to receive the latest real estate news and events directly to your inbox.

Sign Up
By signing up, you agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

About Blog Our Products Our Team Contact Advertise/Sponsor Media Kit Email Whitelist Terms & Policies ACE Marketing Technologies LLC

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • News
    • Agents
    • Brokers
    • Teams
    • Consumer
    • Marketing
    • Coaching
    • Technology
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • National
    • Our Editors
  • Publications
    • Real Estate Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Custom Covers
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Podcasts
    • Event Coverage
  • Education
    • Get Licensed
    • REALTOR® Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Luxury Designation
    • Real Estate Tools
  • Newsmakers
    • 2025 Newsmakers
    • 2024 Newsmakers
    • 2023 Newsmakers
    • 2022 Newsmakers
    • 2021 Newsmakers
    • 2020 Newsmakers
    • 2019 Newsmakers
  • Power Broker
    • 2025 Power Broker
    • 2024 Power Broker
    • 2023 Power Broker
    • 2022 Power Broker
    • 2021 Power Broker
    • 2020 Power Broker
    • 2019 Power Broker
  • Join Premier
  • Sign In

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

X