Why Authenticity Makes You a Better Leader

Jan 12, 2025

This is the sign you've been looking for neon signage — Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are." - Brené Brown

What's authentic leadership anyway?

When meeting anyone for the first time, they may appear to be someone you could like, know, and trust. However, as we know, perceptions, can be deceiving. It’s as if we’re at a masquerade ball, and once we get a glimpse behind the mask, we may not like what we see, which is precisely what happens when pressure or stress arises.

So again, pay close attention to body language and inconsistencies (red flags) while proceeding cautiously.

Say we have an inkling our new supervisor is a micromanager; this is a clear sign of insecurity, so beware and modify your tactics accordingly. As the laws of physics were quite clear about an equal or opposite reaction can occur for every action. Therefore, we want to avoid triggering anyone, which could, in-turn, trigger us, creating an explosive situation.

Pick your battles wisely!

Being strategic, I played the long game, knowing I needed to stay two or three steps ahead. Never give anyone ammunition to use against you, leaving you vulnerable and exposed. Also, leave nothing to chance; because failure to plan leaves you destitute without an escape route.

The reality is that there will be some supervisors who will never trust you regardless of what you do or don't do.

Others may trust you once they get to know you. For supervisors who trusted me and left me alone to do my work, I was loyal and dedicated and stayed with them for as long as I could. If you are like me, trust is not something given; it's earned and easily lost. Credibility is everything!!

Today, we're diving into the science-backed traits of authentic leadership and how to develop them, even in challenging environments.

5 Core Traits of Authentic Leaders that Drive Results

The journey to authentic leadership requires specific, cultivatable traits. Here's what research shows makes the most significant impact:

•Integrity

Integrity is my top trait because you simply have nothing without it. If you lack integrity, no one will be willing to vouch for you, much less trust you. You are lucky if someone takes the time out of their busy schedule to even talk to you.

So, have you ever wondered why people purposely avoid you and act as if you weren’t there.

However, don't point the finger at anyone else; look in the mirror and ask if you would want to be friends or hang out with the likes of you. Also, ask what makes me likable and gives me the ability to influence others? These are the questions I constantly ask myself, remodeling and reshaping toward continual growth and self-actualization.

Never get comfortable with mediocracy.

First impressions are everything!!! Remember, you may never get a second chance to make a long-lasting impression. Don't squander opportunities.

Recent studies show leaders who consistently demonstrate integrity have 23% higher team performance rates (Deloitte, 2023).

- Empathy

The reality is empathy begins with us. The more likely we are to show loving-kindness toward ourselves regarding self-care, non-judgment, love, and forgiveness, the more likely we are to extend it to others. Obviously, love and hate coexists. Nevertheless, we know it’s possible for love to conquer hate.

Teams led by empathetic leaders report 50% higher satisfaction rates (Smith & Lee, 2021).

- Self-awareness

Self-awareness is knowing ourselves, our tendencies, our emotional triggers, our energy levels, strengths, and weaknesses. The better we know ourselves, increases our capability to quickly overcome adversity and challenges. Self-awareness is my superpower, and when I listen closely, it guides my thoughts and decision-making.

Self-awareness encompasses use of our five senses, and our ability to reflect and reason, allowing us to view conflict from all perspectives. Because, as we know, what we see can be based on our individual biases. So, viewing conflict from all sides gives way to favorable outcomes for all parties.

Self-aware leaders are 30% more likely to achieve organizational goals (Deloitte, 2023).

- Vision

It's easy to get confused between vision, mission, and purpose. Vision is concerned with "Where" we are headed, mission is the "What and how," and purpose is the "why. Understanding the difference between them and how they interconnect is essential (to be discussed in an upcoming article).

Companies with visionary leaders outperform their competition by 28% annually (McKinsey, 2022).

- Resilience

To me, resilience boils down to being thick-skinned. When we fall, we get up, ask what lesson we learned from that experience, and keep it moving. I didn't get to where I am by being naïve. I got to where I am through personal sacrifice, hard work, and dedication.

I paid my dues and went in, knowing there were no free rides.

I went the extra mile and gained invaluable experience that set me apart from others. What are you willing to sacrifice to have a fulfilling career and live a life of abundance? Your goal is to understand and manage expectations but not let anyone or anything stand in the way of success.

I pay it forward to help other women excel and have successful careers. Lastly, trust your instincts; mine has never led me astray!

Resilient leaders help organizations recover from crises 2x faster than those with less resilient leadership (Gallup, 2021).