The hard truth about authenticity in leadership

“Just be yourself!” people often say. Another catchphrase I hear a lot is: “Authentic leadership is the key to success!”

It sounds great in theory, doesn’t it? This idea that simply embracing who you are with all your flaws will naturally make you a great leader.

But what if that was not entirely true?

In this article, I will dig deeper into the notion of authenticity, how it is often misunderstood, and what it actually means to develop yourself as a leader in order to become the best version of yourself.

The myth of “Just Be Yourself” in leadership

What if your “authentic self” tends to:

• Avoid difficult conversations to avoid conflict?
• Be overly critical of people on your team?
• Demand perfection without offering any support?
• Lose patience under stress?
• Micromanage instead of trusting your team?

If that is the case, is “being yourself” really the best advice?

Here is the uncomfortable truth: Raw authenticity can be just as damaging as fake leadership.

Your team does not care if you claim to be “authentic.” They care about how your leadership impacts them. This is what I call your leadership game, and it it critical that you become aware of how you play it. Basically, your leadership game is about how you show up in your leadership, and how it impacts the people around you.

Because if your leadership game is all about authority for example, then your natural tendencies may be harming your team's morale. Without you becoming aware of it, you may be stifling your team's growth, or creating unnecessary tension. What happens then is that your “authenticity” is not helping you nor your team. It actually becomes an obstacle.

The Real Challenge: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

Authenticity in leadership is not about staying the exact same as you are right now. It is about recognizing where you need to go to become the best leader you can be.

True leaders do not use “authenticity” as an excuse to justify their habits or behaviour. Instead, they take ownership of their actions and commit to continuous growth.

Here is what that can look like in practice:

1. Recognizing your natural tendencies. Be honest about your default patterns, especially how you act under pressure. Do you talk over people to push your own ideas? Do you react emotionally when there is a deadline? Know that awareness is the first step to change.
2. Challenging your default behaviour. Instead of accepting your habits as fixed traits, ask yourself: “Is this the kind of leader I want to be?” Seek feedback, reflect, and be willing to adjust.
3. Growing beyond your comfort zone. Leadership is not about being static. It is about constantly evolving. The best leaders are not perfect people. They actively work on their weaknesses and embrace their discomfort as a path to growth.

Conclusion

Your team deserves more than a leader who simply defaults to their natural tendencies. They need someone willing to do the work to develop themselves as a leader. This means you need to become aware and make space in your life to learn to become a better version of yourself.

Because true authenticity is not about staying the same. It is about having the courage to look at yourself as you truly are right now, and allowing yourself to grow.

So, are you ready to step up and to move beyond the “Just Be Yourself” trap?

If these insights sparked your curiosity and you are ready to explore further, I’m here to guide you. Click here to schedule a discovery call with me. Together, we can tailor a development plan that aligns with your unique leadership style and goals. I look forward to supporting you in your journey to becoming a co-creative leader!