What are the best traits in an authentic leader?

Good leaders don't just make good followers, they make more good leaders.

Integrity!

Charisma & Confidence. Share the missioin with your subordinates. No I in Team Work!

Lead by example. Honor, respect, dignity.

Servant Leadership principles. Generally, care about your staff; make them feel like they matter because they do. Always lead off with "How can I help you succeed today?". That question tells them you are willing to roll your sleeves up and help them no matter the task. Ask them about their career aspirations and help them achieve their goals, even if it means them leaving your organization to better themselves or advance their career. Have integrity, be ethical, and be fair. Praise in public and reprimand in private. Do not overreact to failure. Help them embrace the failure, own their decision, and help them move past the failure as they learn from it. Help them to grow where they are planted and empower them to grow others; everyone is a leader no matter what level they are currently in. Lead by example and make sure you are a man/woman of your word.

Other's perception(s) of you is their own reality. Even though I may believe my actions, behaviors, and/or beliefs are one way and should be precieved as such, I diligently remind myself... My personal open mindedness will aid in changes within myself as, "your perception, is your reality."

A leader leads. A leader allows subordinates to learn by understanding how to make decisions for the opportunity to be leaders on their own. Subordinate must have the ability to make those decisions in case they are thrust into the position without notice and see how much they perform.

1. Credible. By definition, authentic means "entitled to acceptance or belief, as being in accordance with fact.
2. Protective. Accomplishment brings greater visibility, and visibility brings "attacks" from others (sometimes even the enemy).
3. Listen, and Do Not Jump to Conclusions. When my company SFC told me, a PFC, to go to Supply and inventory my issued equipment, I said, "I cannot." Eventually the Major came to me and asked me the same, and I replied, "I cannot." This was an authentic leader because he inquired, "Why not?" I responded that the issued equipment I had placed into Supply had been stolen and replaced with someone else's equipment.

1. Credible. By definition, authentic means "entitled to acceptance or belief, as being in accordance with fact.
2. Protective. Accomplishment brings greater visibility, and visibility brings "attacks" from others (sometimes even the enemy).
3. Listen, and Do Not Jump to Conclusions. When my company SFC told me, a PFC, to go to Supply and inventory my issued equipment, I said, "I cannot." Eventually the Major came to me and asked me the same, and I replied, "I cannot." This was an authentic leader because he inquired, "Why not?" I responded that the issued equipment I had placed into Supply had been stolen and replaced with someone else's equipment.

A true leader leads when no one is looking always consistent with his personal always striving to better himself or herself always finding new ways to motivate his or her troops!