I have heard this question asked by leaders many times: Can you really be an authentic leader and still drive performance?
Many leaders worry that if they show too much humanity, too much vulnerability, they’ll lose authority or credibility or both. But in my experience, the opposite is true. Authentic leadership doesn’t weaken performance. It unlocks it.
Here’s why.
People today are burned out. Disengaged. Distrustful. And when they leave an organization, they’re usually not leaving the company, they’re leaving their leader. People want real leadership. Someone they can believe in. Someone who shows up as a human, not just a role, or a performative leader motivated solely by self preservation and advancement.
Authentic leadership isn’t a new topic. I’m not claiming originality here. But my take on it connects authenticity to something deeper: fulfilled leadership. That’s the practice of leading with both head and heart, where you feel aligned and purposeful as a leader, and your people feel valued, trusted, and inspired to do their best work.
Following are five practical ways to lead authentically.
First, know your values and live them out loud. If your values are unclear, or hidden, your leadership will feel inconsistent. Document them. Talk about them with your team. Make decisions that align with them, even when it’s uncomfortable. Fulfilled leadership looks like making decisions you can stand behind because they’re rooted in your values, not pressure, optics, or short-term wins.
Second, invite real conversations. This isn’t about oversharing or crossing boundaries. It’s about going beyond surface-level interactions. Using common-sense discretion, ask about the photo on someone’s desk. Remember the name of their pet. Small moments of genuine curiosity create real connection. Fulfilled leadership looks like genuine connection where people feel seen as humans, not managed as roles, and trust grows naturally over time.
Third, share failures and lessons learned. Authentic leadership isn’t about being perfect. When something misses the mark, own it. Take responsibility as the leader. Blame kills trust. Accountability builds it. Fulfilled leadership looks like accountability without blame where trust deepens because your team knows you’ll own outcomes and learn forward together.
Fourth, lead from presence, not performance. People know when you’re fully there, and when you’re just playing the part. Being present, finishing conversations, and minimizing distractions sends a powerful signal: you matter. Fulfilled leadership looks like being fully present where people feel they matter because your attention isn’t performative, rushed, or transactional.
Fifth, recognize the human before the role. Every person you lead is navigating the same five life pillars you are; health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy. You don’t need to manage their personal lives, but acknowledging their humanity, especially if you know someone is enduring a difficult season in their live, goes a long way toward building a deep connection. Fulfilled leadership looks like compassion with standards where you honor the whole person while still guiding the work that needs to get done.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Where in your leadership are you being performative?
And what would it look like to lead more authentically starting today?
Authentic leadership isn’t soft. It’s real. And in today’s world, it’s not optional.
What’s stopping you from being an authentic leader? Schedule a call with me for a no-cost, no-pressure conversation.
