The concept of authentic leadership is becoming more and more important. Today, leaders can no longer be content to dictate orders from their office, but must, in addition, inspire and unite their teams by embodying values of sincerity and transparency or even vulnerability. This is all the challenge of authentic leadership: allow leaders to create relationships of trust with their collaborators and thus, promote a working climate where performance and well-being go hand in hand.
Authentic leadership: a simple but powerful definition
Authentic leadership is based on a simple approach: to be yourself. But in a professional environment where performance pressure is omnipresent, many leaders can hesitate to adopt this posture. He was popularized by the professor of management Bill George in the 2000s. According to him, an authentic leader is the one who acts transparent, who respects his principles and who knows how to adapt without compromising his values. This type of leadership is based on an ability to know yourself and behave in a coherent way, even in difficult situations.
Authentic leaders do not seek to play a role or hide their weaknesses. On the contrary, they share them, which strengthens their credibility and inspires the confidence of their teams. This approach is all the more relevant in a context where employees, especially young generations, are looking for more and more sense and transparency in their working environment.
The advantages of authentic leadership for companies
Creation of mutual trust
One of the main assets of authentic leadership is that it allows you to build a relationship of trust between the leader and his collaborators. By being yourself, a leader shows his teams that he is human, with his strengths and weaknesses. This level of transparency makes it possible to establish a climate of psychological security where employees feel free to express themselves, to offer ideas and even to make mistakes without fear of being judged. This confidence is the cornerstone of collective performance.
A study carried out by Harvard Business Review (2023) highlighted that the teams led by authentic leaders were 40% more likely to feel listened to and respected by their manager, compared to those directed by more authoritarian or remote leaders.
Employee engagement
It also promotes the commitment of employees. Employees are more likely to invest energy and passion in their work when their superior is sincerity and transparency. This creates a virtuous circle where mutual trust turns into a collective desire to succeed.
According to a survey conducted by Gallup In 2024, companies whose managers practice authentic leadership experienced engagement rates employed by 60% higher than those of companies where leaders are not perceived as authentic.
Strengthening corporate culture
Authentic leadership also makes it possible to strengthen corporate culture. A leader who embodies values of openness and sincerity creates an environment where the behavior and expectations of employees are aligned with the objectives of the company. This results in a positive work atmosphere, conducive to collaboration, creativity and innovation.
The obstacles of authentic leadership
Although authentic leadership has many advantages, it is not always easy to implement. In a context where the pressure of financial results and performance objectives can be intense, some leaders may feel tempted to hide their vulnerabilities or not to reveal certain aspects of their personality.
In addition, authentic leadership requires a great dose of courage, because being yourself as a leader sometimes implies making difficult decisions and facing adversity. This may include moments of vulnerability, such as recognizing a public error or admitting that we do not know the answer to a complex question. However, these moments of transparency strengthen the leader’s credibility and often inspire greater loyalty on the part of the teams.
Examples of French start-ups illustrating authentic leadership
In France, several start-ups have chosen to adopt authentic leadership to cultivate confidence and commitment within their teams.
Doctolib: transparency and active listening
Doctolib, one of the most emblematic French start-ups in the digital health sector, perfectly embodies authentic leadership. The founders of the company, Stanislas Niox-Château and Ivan Schneider, have always made a point of promoting transparent and regular communication with their teams. This constant dialogue with employees is one of the factors that explains the rapid growth of Doctolib and its management model focused on trust and responsibility.
In an interview with Les Echos (2023), Stanislas Niox-Château explained that one of their fundamental principles was “Treat employees as responsible adults”. This type of management promotes authenticity, allows teams to feel autonomous and valued, and strengthens their involvement.
Back Market: a corporate culture focused on sincerity
Back Market, the European leader in the reconditioned, is another striking example of authentic leadership. By focusing on honest and transparent communication with its employees, the company has created a strong and united corporate culture. The CEO, Thibaud Hug de Larauze, has often expressed himself on the need to be vulnerable as a leader and to admit errors, which allowed the company to maintain a relationship of trust with its teams.
In 2024, Back Market was ranked among the most attractive companies for young talents because of its authentic and benevolent management of management.
Alan: authentic leadership at the service of innovation
Alan, the start-up specializing in health insurance, is another example of a company where authentic leadership has made it possible to propel the company to success. Its founder, Jean-Charles Samuelian, favors management that encourages transparency and listening. According to an internal study carried out in 2023, more than 85% of Alan employees indicated that management of management was a key factor in their work satisfaction.
The future prospects for authentic leadership
Authentic leadership is no longer a fashion phenomenon, but a necessity in the world of modern work. The younger generations, in particular generation Z, attach great importance to the sincerity and the coherence of the leaders. They no longer just follow a leader for his professional skills; They also want to know who he is as an individual, what he defends and how he acts.
Companies, and in particular start-ups, have a key role to play in this development. By adopting authentic management practices, they can not only improve their internal culture, but also attract the most promising talents.
