The Art of Authentic Leadership: Inner vs. Outer Self Image

How Important is it to know what others think about us ? How others perceive our actions, our words and our gestures or even our silence ? How about if the context is not personal life but as leader of an organization and we are speaking about others as team or employees of the organization

Some of us might say " I don't care what others think, I will be the way I want to be"

And for some of us might say " Oh I get worried of how I would be seen by others"

In the realm of perspectives, there's no absolute right or wrong, what truly matters is to understand the concept of Self Image, how Internal Self Image and External Self Image can be different at times, how is it significant for a leader to understand both, take an informed call on which areas to work on and which areas to let go.

So in this blog and the upcoming series of blogs I will try to introduce some concepts of Looking Inward and Outward.

Zooming into self

Internal Self-image is how you mentally and emotionally view yourself. It covers your beliefs about your abilities, looks, personality, and value, shaping your overall identity. Personal experiences, upbringing, culture, social interactions, and feedback all play a role in forming this self-image. 🤝💭

External Image of oneself refers to how others perceive or view you based on your appearance, behavior, actions, and interactions with them. This perception is shaped by various factors, including your physical appearance, the way you dress, your body language, your behaviour in social situations, and the impressions you make on others

As a leader, recognising the gap between these two images, and if there is a huge gap between these two images might lead to below issues.

Authenticity and Trust : If a leader's external image differs significantly from their internal self-concept, it can erode trust among team members or followers. People tend to trust leaders who are authentic and genuine. When others perceive a leader as insincere or inauthentic, it can damage their credibility.

Employee Morale and Engagement : Leaders who project an external image that is inconsistent with their internal values and beliefs may find it challenging to inspire and engage their team members. Employees may become disenchanted if they sense a lack of authenticity in their leader.

Also it is one's choice to know the gap between internal and external image and still to maintain it. But here are some consequences of such decisions which we need to know before getting into taking such decisions, so that we are taking informed decisions and calculated risks.

Leadership Burnout

Stress and Burnout : Maintaining a facade that contradicts one's internal self-image can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. Leaders may experience stress and burnout as they try to uphold an image that doesn't align with their true selves

Decision-Making Challenges: When leaders are disconnected from their internal values and beliefs, it can lead to poor decision-making. Decisions may be driven more by external pressures or the desire to maintain a certain image rather than what is in the best interest of the organization or team

Leadership Effectiveness: Effective leadership often relies on authenticity, transparency, and the ability to connect with others. Leaders with significant gaps between their internal and external images may struggle to inspire, motivate, and lead their teams effectively

Personal Well-Being: Leaders who experience a disconnect between their internal and external selves may also suffer from personal dissatisfaction and inner conflict. This can have negative effects on their overall well-being and life satisfaction

If you have faced such gaps between internal and external self image and want to know how to bridge gap or even if at all you need to be bothered .... keep glued to this blog series, where I will share frameworks on how to look inward , how to understand external image.