Building trust
According to Forbes, authenticity in leadership is one of the key factors in establishing mutual trust between employees and their managers. An authentic leader who is not afraid to be themselves and avoids putting on a façade will naturally earn the trust of their team. Trust, in turn, is fundamental to team building, employee development and overall flexibility. Conversely, if a manager acts insincerely or pretends to be someone they are not, employees will quickly recognise it, which puts an end to any efforts to build trust.
Creating a safe and productive environment
Only when there is mutual understanding and trust between manager and employees can a leader foster a positive and productive work environment. When team members see that their manager is not just putting on an act, and that they too can be themselves, they will be more relaxed at work and reach their full potential.
Regarding mistakes as opportunities
A manager who is honest and not afraid to admit mistakes sends a clear message to their team: mistakes are a natural part of growth, development and success. If, however, a leader tries to present themselves as an infallible expert who always knows best, they will fail as a role model. In such an environment, employees will never view mistakes as learning opportunities. This stifles the team's growth potential, as employees may try to avoid mistakes at all costs, or ignore and possibly even conceal them.
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