Summary: <br> In episode 103 Leadership Mojo© – I talk with James Hunter, National Managing Partner at KPMG Australia, on the power of authentic leadership. <br> <br> <br> <br> Why it requires accountability, shared intent and transformation from the top-down. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> James’ extensive leadership experience spans both corporate and military. With 15 years’ experience in a diverse range of corporate leadership roles in Professional Services in Australia, regionally and globally. <br> <br> <br> <br> James joined the Navy straight out of school. After leaving the Navy, he taught at Shore Sydney Church of England Grammar School. As Assistant Housemaster, and later Housemaster, he studied for his MBA. <br> <br> <br> <br> Six years later, with his MBA behind his name, James entered the corporate world. <br> <br> <br> <br> Over the last decade his focus has been working closely with companies across a range of sectors to deliver large, complex transformation and customer/digital/cultural reform programs in Australia as well as North America, the UK and Europe, and across SE and Northern Asia.<br> <br> <br> <br> Trust is rooted in integrity and shared intent of the outcome you want to achieve. James Hunter<br> <br> <br> <br> I asked James about his style of leadership and what we truly need to pay attention to as we build companies with sustainable success and values that matter:<br> <br> <br> <br> 1. Authentic Leadership <br> <br> <br> <br> Leadership is constantly evolving, but at its heart is authenticity. Which means walking the talk and ensuring as a leader you continue to evolve and honour your values through all areas of life – this includes home as well as work. <br> <br> <br> <br> Leaders are accountable for the outcomes but can only do that if they can trust the people they work with. Authenticity ensures consistency in behaviour and in the end the valuable asset of trust. This trust is rooted in integrity and shared intent of the outcome you want to achieve. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> You can’t lead through formal structures. Authentic leadership is about leading one-on-one. You lead by example, and your example is replicated. <br> <br> <br> <br> Checking in on trust and shared intent – at all stages of growth and any size of business is crucial.<br> <br> <br> <br> 2. Leadership Mojo is Shared intent<br> <br> <br> <br> Successful businesses often fail when they get to a certain size. That’s because entrepreneurs don’t realise the importance of surrounding themselves with people that they need to empower to be successful and own the success. There is a gap where shared intent should be. <br> <br> <br> <br> If you want employees to take ownership and accept accountability, you need a shared intent on the outcomes right from the start. <br> <br> <br> <br> * Great leaders foster shared intent by surrounding themselves with key people who have the skills they themselves lack.<br> <br> <br> <br> * The gap is bridged when leaders are willing to learn from these key people, who, in turn, learn from the leader. <br> <br> <br> <br> This is when people change the way they operate, and true integration happens. The result? Outcomes that are not merely good, but great. <br> <br> <br> <br> 3. Leadership Mojo is Closing the loop<br> <br> <br> <br> When you can share a vision and intent, and empower the people you work with, success is measured by the feedback that the process has been transformational. But empowerment is built on trust and looping back. <br> <br> <br> <br> * If you want people to trust you, then you need to create a safe environment and be available for open discussion. * Ensure there is a loop back on what has been asked,
