Bill George, former president and CEO of Medtronic, was once asked to describe the most important characteristics a leader needs in his company. He said: “I can sum it up in one word: authenticity.”

Authenticity is essential, and yet it is an often overlooked aspect of leadership.

Authentic leadership goes beyond what we usually think of as the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership. Every leader must know how to influence, motivate, organize, manage, communicate effectively, etc. These traits, for the most part, can be acquired through a typical MBA program, as well as on-the-job training. They have been described countless times in the literature and are the focus of most leadership development programs.

Authentic leaders take these traits to another level. They are capable of influencing, motivating, etc., but they do not exercise these skills as strategies or techniques. Authentic leaders do not operate from an acquired leadership personality. They don’t have one personality when in front of staff and another when alone or with friends.

Rather, authentic leaders know how to lead from a place beyond the intellectual mind. They operate from the heart and are always in line with their purpose in life. They are simply and genuinely themselves in all situations.

Leaders who embody authentic leadership can move seamlessly and effortlessly between two worlds. They feel comfortable and confident in the outside world of their company, employees, and the marketplace in general. They are just as comfortable in their own inner world, within their own being or spirit. Authentic leaders respond to both worlds as an integrated whole.

How can I specifically summarize what makes an authentic leader? I have observed that these leaders have six characteristics:

1. Authentic leaders are genuine.

They are true to themselves, no matter how it manifests itself. They feel at home in their own skin and are not afraid to let others see them for who they are, including any shortcomings they may have.

2. Authentic leaders have found their purpose in life.

They find meaning in their work and other life activities, and have a clear basis for the decisions and choices they make. Your personal and professional goals are aligned with your true nature.

3. Authentic leaders run their organization with purpose and vision.

They are not in business for purely financial reasons; rather, they and their organization exist to provide a service to society. Their vision comes first and they set goals to achieve that vision.

4. Authentic leaders know when to act and when to be patient. They intuitively know when an action should be taken and when it is more effective to wait. Everything in life and in business has its right time. The key is to recognize and move with the flow.

5. Authentic leaders know that the outside world has no influence on their being.

Because they are in touch with their hearts, they are not affected by the changes and challenges of the external world. They remain calm and content, and do not worry about what others may think of them.

6. Authentic leaders are comfortable not being in control (and therefore in total control).

They do not need to impose their own control over situations. Because they are in the flow and not resistant to change in their business and personal worlds, they actually feel more in control than if they were engaged in a constant struggle for control.

Authentic leaders bring their spirit to their work. The Tao Te Ching expresses it beautifully:

If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao (the flow of life). Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will rule itself.