Welcome back to Lesson 3 of Leadership for a digital world in the public service!

In this week's lesson, you'll learn about Open: The Authentic Mindset and discover how important it is for supporting openness and transparency in the workplace in order to drive a digital future.

1. Watch an explanation of Open: The Authentic Mindset

Watch this video to learn briefly about the 4th mindset of modern leadership for a digital world. (2 min)

2. Reflect on your own experience

Based on the brief descriptions above, where would you place your own maturity currently for this mindset?

The Authentic Mindset:

  • Level 1: I'm aware of the authentic mindset.
  • Level 2: I understand the authentic mindset.
  • Level 3: I can evidence an authentic mindset.
  • Level 4: I embody the authentic mindset.

One great way to think about this mindset is thinking about the balance between the internal and external: How you harmonise your leadership practice between your internal authentic self and your ability to enable and empower transparency around you.

3. Use the suggestions and articles below to help you develop and nurture your Authentic Mindset

Authentic levels 1 & 2

Learn: Read Public servant, know yourself to get some tips on turning inward to reflect. (6 min)

Think: How much time do you spend looking inward to your leadership practice rather than outwardly to the world around you?

Do: When it comes to enabling openness and transparency the first step is always to deploy a “trust first” approach - so share yourself first - be open and visible, work out loud. Find the tiny areas where you are able to do this in your current environment and within your current leadership habits and daily practices.

Authentic levels 3 & 4

Learn: Read Open working: A guide for public servants in the social media age to find out how to work in the open even beyond your own team or department. (5 min)

Think: As someone who is already evidencing maturity in this principle and way of thinking, now is the time when you might want to start bringing in more accountability around being transparent and open. Reflect on how you could bring more transparency and openness in your work.

Do: Ask one of your colleagues to hold you accountable for 'working in the open' this week.

Picture credit: Unsplash

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