"When it comes to leaders, there is a misconception that they should just be themselves, stay true to their values, and not worry about what others think. We hear it everywhere: in the leadership training, on LinkedIn, in boardrooms. "Authentic leadership" is sold as the antidote to stiff CEOs, to faux-transformational leader theatre. The premise? Just bring your whole self, speak your truth, don't censor yourself, and don't worry about pleasing others."
"It's not about a narcissistic celebration of your identity, your values, and your unfiltered truth. Leadership is about influencing others, creating collective direction, aligning values together, managing tensions, adapting, and showing care. When a leader uses "I am just being myself" as a cloak for ignoring what others think, resisting any feedback because "That's not me," or refusing to adapt their style because "I'm always this way"-they're succumbing to hubris, not modelling humility."
Authenticity is widely celebrated in brands, culture, and leadership, but unfiltered self-expression can undermine effective leadership. Leaders must focus on influencing others, aligning collective direction, managing tensions, adapting behaviors, and demonstrating care rather than centering personal identity. Using "I'm just being myself" to dismiss feedback, resist adaptation, or ignore others' perspectives breeds hubris, disengagement, fragmented teams, and mistrust. Academic definitions of authenticity emphasize congruence between words and actions, resistance to external pressure, and a commitment to personal values, but those traits without empathy and responsivity risk harmful outcomes.
Read at Psychology Today
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