The Bravest Thing a Leader Can Be In Today's Workplace? Authentic.
Leadership today isn’t what it used to be. Suits and titles no longer guarantee trust. Perfectly polished personas don’t inspire teams the way they once might have. In a world craving real connection, what your team actually wants from you is something far more powerful than perfection.
They want you to be… you.
That’s right. In today’s workplace, authenticity isn’t just a feel-good buzzword, it’s leadership currency. And leading with authenticity? It takes guts. It takes clarity. And yes, it takes bravery.
The Stats Are In: Authenticity Matters (A Lot)
Let’s start with the data, because this isn’t just my opinion—it’s backed by numbers. A recent study found that 75% of employees want more authenticity from their leaders, but many say they rarely experience it. Another survey of over 6,700 leaders showed that those who feel authentic at work are more confident, more engaged, and happier. Translation? When leaders show up as their true selves, everyone wins.
Authentic leadership isn’t just good for your personal wellbeing, it directly impacts your team’s engagement, creativity, and trust. And trust, by the way, is the foundational element of high-performing teams. Without it, nothing sticks.
Why Leading with Authenticity Takes Real Bravery
If authenticity is so beneficial, why don’t more leaders embrace it?
Because it’s vulnerable. It’s exposing. It means saying things like:
“I don’t have the answer yet.”
“That didn’t go how I hoped.”
“I need your help.”
And in a world that often rewards having it all together, showing up this way can feel like swimming upstream. But here’s the truth: you can’t fake real. And when you try, people can feel it.
Authenticity takes bravery because it requires dropping the armor. It asks you to trade performance for presence. And that’s scary...until it becomes empowering.
How to Tell When You're Not Being Authentic
Sometimes, we slip into auto-pilot leadership—doing what we think we’re supposed to do instead of what feels aligned. Here are a few subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that you might be drifting from authenticity:
You over-prepare or rehearse to the point that your message loses heart.
You avoid difficult conversations because they feel messy.
You say “yes” to things that conflict with your values.
You feel like you're playing a role rather than leading from your core.
Sound familiar? Don’t beat yourself up. We’ve all been there. The key is recognizing it, then gently redirecting back to center.
What Authentic Leadership Looks (and Feels) Like In Action
Authentic leadership doesn’t mean you spill your life story in every meeting or wear your emotions like a neon sign. It means you lead from your values, speak your truth with compassion, and make decisions that reflect who you are—not just what’s expected.
Here’s what authentic leadership does look like:
You admit mistakes and model accountability.
You let your values guide your actions, especially under pressure.
Asking for input, staying curious, and resisting the urge to “know it all.”
You give feedback rooted in care, not control.
You allow your team to see the real you, not just the polished LinkedIn version.
And what it doesn’t look like?
Chasing approval over alignment.
Oversharing for the sake of relatability
Performing confidence instead of building it.
Withholding emotions to “stay professional.”
Being brutally honest without care.
Treating transparency like a weakness.
Want to Lead More Authentically? Try These Brave Moves:
If you’re wondering how to put this into practice, here are a few Small Brave Moves that can create big ripple effects:
Define your leadership philosophy. What do you believe about leadership? What values guide your actions? When you’re clear on your foundation, it becomes easier to lead with intention.
Write your personal ethos. This is your “I lead by…” statement. Think of it as your North Star. Add in a few non-negotiables: “I will always…” or “I never…”
Reflect on a recent moment. When did you feel most in alignment as a leader? Least? What contributed to that? What could you shift next time?
Ask for feedback. Choose someone who knows you well and ask: “Where do you see me holding back or being ‘off’ from who I really am?”
These moves aren’t about perfection, they’re about progress. Tiny steps toward truth.
When You Lead as Yourself, Everything Changes
Authenticity isn’t just a gift to your team, it’s a gift to yourself. Leaders who lead from a place of authenticity report lower burnout, higher resilience, and greater wellbeing. Teams led by authentic leaders tend to be more innovative, more connected, and yes, more productive.
Authenticity builds trust. Trust builds safety. Safety builds performance.
See the pattern?
Ready to Get Real?
If this resonated with you, I’ve created something to help you go deeper.
👉Download my free workbook: “How to Lead as Your Authentic Self” It’s packed with guided reflection questions, prompts, and exercises to help you find your purpose, establish your personal ethos, and start living and leading as your bravest and most authentic self.
Because the world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs more real ones.
And it starts with you.