The Power of Leading with Authenticity

Why being real is the most transformative leadership tool you have.

For a long time, I believed that leadership meant being flawless. That I had to hide the parts of my story that didn’t fit the mold — my struggles, my mistakes, my lived experience.

But the truth is, the moments I’ve been most effective as a leader were the moments I showed up as myself — fully, unapologetically, authentically.

Authenticity builds trust. It creates space for others to show up real, too. And it tears down the impossible standards that keep so many of us silent.

When I tell my story — as a woman of color, as someone who has faced the barriers of the justice system, as a mother who carried both shame and resilience — I don’t lose power. I gain it. And I give permission for others to reclaim theirs.

Three ways you can practice authenticity today:

1. Share a piece of your story — even if it feels imperfect.

2. Be honest about what you don’t know — leadership is not about having every answer.

3. Show empathy — authenticity isn’t just about your truth, it’s about creating room for others’.

The world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs more authentic ones.