008: Brad Lomenick on Authentic Leadership [Podcast]
We all fear being “found out.” Being outed as a fake. So what if we decided to come clean? Be real. Authentic. In this episode of the podcast, Brad Lomenick, President and Lead Visionary of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader, shares wisdom for
[specialbox]Note: I originally recorded this conversation several months ago, and I’m happy to finally get the chance to share it with you. Enjoy.[/specialbox]
I’m standing just offstage. I adjust my mic and hop up and down -- the adrenaline is pumping. I hear the emcee: “…about the latest advances in astrophysics, please welcome, Dr. Jeff Goins!”
Doctor? Astrophysics?
I wake up in a cold sweat.
Photo credit: Max Wolfe via cc
We all fear being “found out," being outed as a fake. And now, more than ever, people can see through the facade. So what if we took a different approach? What if we decided to come clean? Be real. Show our authentic selves.
In this episode of the podcast, Brad Lomenick, President and Lead Visionary of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader, shares wisdom for the next generation of communicators and leaders.
Click to listen
To listen to the show, click the player below (if viewing this in email click here).
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You can also download it at iTunes or on Stitcher.
Are you ready to lead?
At some point, Brad says, you have to transition from protege to mentor. And you won’t feel ready. Don’t we all feel that way, sometimes?
When I started this podcast, I didn’t feel ready. But even through my doubt and insecurities, I knew I needed to do it.
The podcast wasn’t the only thing I didn’t feel ready for. I didn’t feel ready when I published my first book. I didn’t feel ready when I launched my first course.
The truth is, you never feel ready, even when you are. (Click here to tweet that)
So even if you don’t feel ready, you know something valuable. You’ve been through something, and you can guide someone else who is facing something similar.
You’re ready.
The most essential essentials
In his book, The Catalyst Leader: Eight Essentials for Becoming a Change-Maker (affiliate link), Brad and his team have identified eight key qualities to being a great leader in our culture.
They’re all important and interrelated, but I asked Brad to pick the cornerstone. The one quality without which it would all fall apart:
Authenticity.
Brad says it’s hard to fake it. You’ll be found out. (Tweet that)
So we should stop trying to puff ourselves up and rest in who and where we are right now, not who we want to be 10 or 15 years from now.
Live what you say
In our connected world, it’s easier than ever to create a facade, to craft an identity that’s not true to yourself, But the millennial generation has a great radar. We can no longer get by on appearances and half-truths.
To be a successful leader, you must be yourself and you must be about your community.
[specialbox]A catalyst is defined as “a force for change that leaves no residue of itself.” [/specialbox]
That’s what Brad wants to be as a leader. And that’s what I want to do with this podcast. If I’m pulling it off, if I’m helping inspire you to change, I’d love for you to leave an honest review.
You can also copy and paste this URL into the podcast player of your choice: https://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePortfolioLifeJeffGoins
Also, if you have any questions for future episodes like this one, let me know (just shoot an email to jeff at goinswriter dot com).
And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please tweet about it or share it with your friends on Facebook.
Becoming the leader you want to be
What does all this mean for us? For you?
I know for me, it means starting scared. It means doing things I don’t feel ready for but my community needs. It means asking about your struggles, opening the curtain on my own struggles, and sharing the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
What about you? What makes it hard for you to be authentic and lead your tribe? Share in the comments.
[specialbox]By the way, opening next week, Tribe Writers can help you find your authentic voice and connect with the tribe that’s waiting for you to lead them.[/specialbox]