Unlock Your True Leadership Potential: Align Your Values to Drive Impact and Inspire Success
As a leader, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the conflicting advice that bombards you from all directions. One of the most pervasive pieces of "conventional wisdom" from HR and leadership development professionals is the idea that body language is the key to effective leadership. Many have heard that nonverbal cues account for a significant portion of communication, and you may feel pressured to master your posture, gestures, or tone to lead effectively. While body language certainly plays a role in communication, this narrow focus can create confusion for leaders trying to balance authenticity with external expectations.
The truth is, authentic leadership is not about perfecting body language or mimicking behavior—it’s about leading with integrity and staying true to your core values. If you don’t lead in alignment with your values, you risk letting others—and even yourself—down, which can cause frustration and disengagement.
So, how can you move past the confusion over body language so we can lead authentically? The answer lies in reconnecting with your values and using them as the foundation of your leadership style. Values Aligned Functioning (Values AF) is a powerful tool that can guide you in this journey, helping you lead from a place of clarity and purpose, and ultimately, build a more engaged and trusting team.
The Body Language Study and Its Counterpoints
In the 1970s, Albert Mehrabian’s famous “7-38-55 rule” suggested that 93% of communication is nonverbal, with 55% coming from body language, 38% from tone of voice, and only 7% from words. This finding quickly became undebatable in HR, leadership development, and communications circles, often leading leaders to believe that mastering body language was the key to effective leadership.
However, subsequent research has complicated this view. Michael Argyle (1988) and Burgoon, Buller, and Woodall (1996) found that while nonverbal communication is important, verbal communication plays a far larger role in leadership effectiveness. They also emphasized that context—including the values a leader upholds—greatly influences how communication is received and understood.
In leadership, focusing too heavily on nonverbal cues can be misleading. What truly matters is how you align your actions with your core values and how authentically you communicate. Leaders who lead from within, rooted in their values, are more effective and build greater trust within their teams.
The Power of Leading Authentically
Authentic leadership is about leading from within. It’s about understanding your core values, aligning your actions with those values, and making decisions that reflect your beliefs. When you lead authentically, you inspire trust and respect, and your team will naturally follow your example.
Leaders who operate authentically make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and create stronger team connections. They don’t rely on perfect body language or mimicking certain behaviors—they lead from a deep sense of integrity and purpose.
The Path to Authentic Leadership with Values AF
Values AF is designed to help leaders identify, align, and integrate their values into their leadership style. In Session 1, leaders clarify their core values and explore how these values influence their approach to leadership. Session 2 goes deeper, aligning those values with their professional actions and behaviors. By Session 3, leaders begin to integrate their values into everyday leadership practices. In Session 4, they tackle real-world leadership challenges, using their values as a guide. By Session 5, they refine their leadership narrative, crafting a story that reflects their true leadership style.
Living Authentically as a Leader
As a leader, your most important relationship is with yourself. Authenticity is about staying true to your values and aligning your actions accordingly, not about mimicking certain behaviors or body language. When you lead authentically, you inspire your team and create a culture of trust and engagement.
If you’re ready to lead with purpose and clarity, the Values AF methodology provides the framework to help you reconnect with your core values and lead from a place of integrity. Lead authentically, and watch your leadership transform your team and your organization.
