There is a lot of hype out there about being authentic, particularly as a leader. If you think about it though, as soon as you start "trying to be" authentic, you aren't. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you should not be authentic, it is more about how you get there. Authenticity means you are clear about what you stand for; the principles you will uphold no matter what, and living by those principles. It is also about understanding what your purpose is; the impact you want to have on the world/in your work, and using this to guide your actions and decisions. Finally, it is about sharing your principles and your purpose with others honestly, so they know what you stand for and what to expect in their interactions with you. I encourage us all to spend some reflection time on purpose and principles. If you think about it, it is our own personal "Vision,Mission, Values" statement that lives in our actions.