Finding Courage Through Authenticity

Amy M. Pick, PharmD BCOP
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Director of Faculty and Staff Development
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Creighton University
Omaha, NE

When I was asked to write this article for HOPA News, I immediately accepted the opportunity. Possible topics flooded my mind. Would I write about well-being, work-life integration, strength-based leadership, the importance of diversity in the workplace, or humility? And then a trace of self-doubt nudged its way into my mind, creating chaos amid the excitement. Am I qualified to write this article? How would my colleagues perceive my casual storytelling writing style? And, dare I say it, am I good enough?

Our mind plays ping-pong, and internal conflict resolution is challenging. Doubts about self-worth, fear of failure, and questions about personal strength infiltrate the mind. Every. Single. Day. Our power lies in taking off our masks and showing the world our true selves. It lies in accepting who we are and recognizing that we have great talents to share. This, my friends, is authenticity. It is saying “Yes, I am good enough to … (in my case, write this article).” I would like to share with you my journey to authenticity.

As for many, my trajectory in my pharmacy career and in life was linear. High school, undergrad degree, PharmD, residency, job, board certification, marriage, and then children. (Nonlinear kinetics seems to be prohibited when one is discussing life planning!) However, in 2015, I was experiencing a deep internal restlessness, a feeling that there was more for me in life. I tried to ignore it but found myself searching late at night for additional certifications, training programs, and even different career options. After a year of discernment (because I stew about things), I decided to enroll in a graduate course in organizational leadership. I can’t explain why, but I thought it “would be fun!” Little did I know that the program would be transformational. I fell in love with learning and developing my leadership skills. I didn’t need more content knowledge but needed to figure out who I was. It quickly became apparent to me that I could not learn leadership skills without self-awareness and daily reflection. Graduate education allowed me to focus on myself, something I had neglected since the completion of my PharmD degree in 2003.

I graduated in December 2018, with a master of science degree in organizational leadership (MSOL). Over the past 3 years, I have experienced tremendous personal and professional growth. I am becoming the authentic leader that I desire to be. The MSOL coursework ignited in me gratitude and a love of journaling. It helped me embrace my strength as a relator and reinforced the importance of service, humility, and agape (the Greek word for self-sacrificing love) in the workplace. The classes gave me the confidence to accept who I am, with my imperfections and all. In many ways, the courses gave me permission to reflect and created time for reflection so I could lead authentically.

I used to think that transformational and visionary leadership was the ideal leadership style. I was wrong. Over a thousand studies have shown that there is no single preferred leadership style. The best leadership style is the one that fits with who you are. It fits with who you want to be. Every day our actions and our words influence one another. We bring our unique gifts to the workplace and share them with our colleagues. We are great leaders who permeate the walls of our institutions and organizations.

Leading with authenticity requires self-awareness and the ability to learn from one’s own story. It involves accepting the past and adjusting for the present. Authentic leaders learn from their experiences, live their values, and practice chosen principles.¹ Our actions align with our words. I used to feel bad saying no to a work event because I wanted to attend a son’s soccer game. If I value family, then I must make time for my family. That may require my saying no so I can say yes to things that truly matter.

Authenticity involves an understanding of one’s purpose in life. This is not an easy task when we trudge along the linear path of life. When is the last time you stopped and asked yourself if you are living your purpose? What is your purpose? I know—it is hard to find time to reflect on such questions in the busyness of life. But making that time is crucial for me because authenticity is the foundational principle from which my leadership philosophy grows. Being authentic allows me to focus on areas of leadership that are important to me (i.e., strength-based leadership, well-being, and diversity).

How do you desire to lead? What principles and theories of leadership resonate with your authentic self?

Being a leader is hard. Over Christmas break, I watched the film The Greatest Showman with my boys. I can’t help thinking of authentic leadership when I hear these words from the song “This Is Me.”²

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me.

Authenticity takes courage. It means being vulnerable, often to the unsolicited critiques of others. We’ve all been hurt, and it is hard to remain brave when we are faced with obstacles. But authenticity is easier when we become the same person in and out of the workplace. Happiness emerges as we take off our masks and show the world our true self. We learn to appreciate the gifts we and others bring to our workplace and organization. We know who we are and who we want to be. Authenticity is right in front of us if we take the time to define the values that are important. My charge to you is to identify and define the values that are important to you. Then live those values.

With sincere gratitude, I thank you for reading my story. I hope that the days ahead bring you kindness, compassion, and endless opportunities. May you live a life you love and find self-acceptance and contentment. Through authenticity, may you be the person you were meant to be.

References

1. George B, Sims P, McLean AN, & Mayer D. Discovering your authentic leadership. Harvard Business Review. 2007:1-9.
2. "This Is Me," by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, in The Greatest Showman [DVD]. (2017). New York, NY: Twentieth Century Fox.