June 28, 2022

210: Leading with Authenticity with Sabrina Horn

29 minutes

Authenticity at work requires being true to yourself. However, this can be a difficult feat for managers. We often step into the management position believing there is a certain way we must speak and act, or certain knowledge we should now possess simply because we’re leading others, but research shows people respond more favorably to managers who are their true selves. How can managers fulfill their role while being true to their personalities, capabilities, and limitations?

Today’s guest is Sabrina Horn. Sabrina is an award-winning CEO, author, communications expert, and advisor. Her career is highlighted by 25 years as Founder, CEO, and President of Horn Group, the iconic U.S. tech communications agency she founded in Silicon Valley at age 29. She is currently CEO of HORN Strategy, focused on helping entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of their companies. She is here today to talk with us about her new book, Make It, Don’t Fake It: Leading with Authenticity for Real Business Success.

Sabrina and I talk about imposter syndrome, how to be appropriately authentic, how to overcome your inner critic's fears by acting ‘as if’ and more strategies for being real and amazing at work.

Members of the Modern Manager community can get one of five signed copies of Sabrina’s book, Make It, Don’t Fake It. This book offers executives concrete advice on what to do when faced with everyday challenges and big dilemmas, so leaders can make the right decisions and build durable businesses. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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Read the related blog article: Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Lead with Authenticity

KEEP UP WITH SABRINA

Website: https://www.sabrinahorn.com

Book: Make It, Don’t Fake It

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinahorn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabrinahorn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabrinahorn/

Key Takeaways:

Being inauthentic is unsustainable. Even though it’s hard to face the truth, it's harder in the long-run to hide from it.

There are multiple levels of “faking it” that range from innocent white lies, to exaggerating the truth, to lies of omission, to full on fakery.

Even small lies often lead to more, bigger lies because we become afraid to let the truth come out.

Imposter syndrome is when you underestimate yourself given your prior accomplishments. While you may feel like you’re faking it, you’re not.

The majority of overachievers feel imposter syndrome, but women and minorities experience it more frequently.

Acting “as if” you had the confidence (not experience or knowledge) needed for the situation can be a great way to overcome imposter syndrome.

Write down a list of all your accomplishments to help you objectively see your own greatness.

Imagine what behaviors someone who was successful would do. Then do these behaviors or invest in developing the skills to do them.

Managers may have to behave in ways that feel unnatural in order to be a good manager. The key is to be fully invested in these behaviors even if they don’t feel authentic.

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By Mamie Kanfer Stewart

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