Have you ever worked with employees or leaders who feel more like a robot than a person? Distant, calculated, and impossible to connect with. How about working with one who’s approachable, transparent, and genuinely invested in your success? Which one would you trust to guide you or work with you through the complexities of remote work, rapid advancements in AI, and diverse global teams?
In a Harvard Business Review research, 80% of respondents believed that authenticity improves the work environment. With all that’s going on in the workplace today, authenticity isn’t just a nice-to-have trait for leaders. It’s your Ace card for succeeding in your role in the modern workplace.
Whether you want to build trust in virtual teams or you’re navigating the ethical challenges of AI, authenticity is a key aspect. It’s a leadership strategy that inspires loyalty, encourages innovation, and creates environments where people truly want to excel.
Let’s dive into why leading with authenticity is no longer optional in a tech-driven, interconnected world.
1. Builds Relationships
Authentic leadership helps lay the foundation of a strong relationship with your people. It builds trust and mutual respect when you’re transparent with your actions and decisions. It also encourages employees to connect with you when you show genuine interest in their well-being.
To be an authentic leader, Samo Polegek an Owner at The Most Iconic Art, suggests, “You shouldn’t be afraid of showing vulnerabilities and admitting to your imperfections. When you show them, it helps create a safe space for your people to do the same. Employees are more likely to share their ideas and concerns, knowing their leader genuinely cares. And that strengthens your bond as a team.”
In the same HBR study, the employees who chose to hide their true selves at work pointed to environments where stress and emotions aren’t acknowledged. This highlights the important role of a leader’s authenticity in creating a welcoming work space and building stronger connections with their people.
2. Boosts Credibility
Authentic leaders have high levels of integrity that boost credibility and trust. They take responsibility for their actions and don’t stray away from their principles over short-term success. Their humility demonstrates strength, not weakness, and enhances their credibility because it assures others they’re leading with honesty and self-awareness.
According to a survey, credibility is one of the top characteristics people find most desirable in a leader, along with values and ethics. About 42% of the respondents said they want leaders who uphold high ethical standards and firm beliefs.
For Lev Peker, CEO at CARiD, authentic leaders use their values as a compass in their everyday actions. “Understand that credibility is built gradually through consistent behaviour, honest communication, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of others,” he said.
Employees, and even clients and stakeholders, respect leaders who stick to their moral compass, even when it means making tough calls. Over time, this consistency also establishes the company’s reputation of dependability and trustworthiness.
3. Inspires Innovation
Authentic leadership encourages employees to think outside the box because there’s no fear of judgment. Authentic leaders make their people feel that there are no silly ideas—everyone’s thoughts can spark a concept that may take fruit someday. They welcome diverse ideas and demonstrate openness and curiosity.
Employees also see from their leaders that making mistakes is part of the learning process rather than a cause for punishment. Authentic leaders show that growth often comes from trial and error. So, they’re more open to experimentation and bold ideas.
“Part of being an authentic leader is being transparent about the challenges you or the company face. Invite your team members to solve problems in collaborative and innovative ways,” said John Grant, Founder & CEO at Premier Bidets. “Prioritise collaboration and diversity of thoughts and actively seek input from individuals with varied perspectives and expertise.”
“Don’t forget that authenticity also means giving credit where it’s due. Help your employees see how their contributions drive meaningful change. Recognise their efforts to be creative, no matter how small. That can inspire your people to continue innovating and pushing beyond their boundaries,” Grant added.
4. Creates Meaning and Purpose
An authentic leader connects their people to a higher purpose, which makes their everyday work more meaningful. How do you do that?
“Openly share your vision and explain how each person’s role contributes to the bigger picture. When your employees have clarity on what you want to achieve, they can align their efforts with the organisation’s goals. It creates a sense of shared mission,” explained Conrad Wang, Managing Director at EnableU. “Celebrate the impact of your team’s work and reinforce its significance to motivate continued effort.”
Authenticity allows you to articulate your values as a leader, and that can encourage employees to reflect on their own. It also fosters intrinsic motivation within your team and promotes personal growth.
When your employees feel that they’re part of something larger than themselves, they’re more engaged and productive. As they see you being truly committed to your role, they too become invested in the organisation’s success. They approach their work with more energy and an unfeigned desire to perform best.
5. Encourages Open Communication
Authentic leaders can make their people feel that they can tell them almost anything. And open communication contributes to a culture of transparency and credence.
“Lead by example. Share your thoughts, concerns, and even uncertainties with the team. Encourage your employees to speak up and know that their opinions and feelings are valued. By being genuine, you can break down barriers that often hinder honest communication,” said Peter Čuček, Owner at Tuuli.
It’s important to use communication to resolve conflicts constructively and ensure that your relationships are strong. It increases collaboration and proactiveness. It also helps uncover valuable insights and perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed.
In this era of digital distractions, authentic communication builds stronger connections and enhances team cohesion.
6. HumaniSes Leadership
More often than not, the title “leader” puts a distance between you and your people. Authenticity removes the stigma that a leader is a boss because it humanises leadership. It reminds employees that leaders are people too. It makes you more relatable, which boosts employee engagement and loyalty.
“You can share your personal experiences, including your struggles and failures. It makes your people see that imperfection is natural,” said Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder & CEO at MIRA Safety. “And that encourages them to bring their true selves to work.”
Being authentic means showing empathy and taking time to understand your employees’ challenges too. Then, lead by example. Show how you handle difficulties with humility and grace, which encourages a mindset of growth and adaptability.
7. Boosts Team Resilience
Authentic leaders lead with honesty and empathy, which strengthens team resilience. They don’t shy away from acknowledging it when they’re having a hard time. Instead, they frame the difficulties as opportunities to grow stronger.
“One of the things I admire from a leader is calm and composed behaviour. That’s what an authentic leader models to inspire their teams to stay focused during tough times,” shared Dr. Mo Ziaei, Cornea & Vision Correction Specialist at Re:Vision. “Authenticity helps you build trust, an essential aspect to create a sense of stability in uncertain situations.”
Being genuine can also empower your people to take ownership of problems and be confident in their skills to solve them. And when you celebrate small wins along the way, it can boost morale and remind everyone of their collective strength. Over time, this approach cultivates a culture of resilience, where teams bounce back stronger from setbacks.
8. Cuts Through Digital Noise
Authentic leadership can help you stand out in a world of overflowing virtual meetings, emails, and AI-generated messages. We can dare say distractions are at an all-time high. Showing your genuine care for your people can bring a refreshing sense of realness to virtual interactions. It can help you build trust, especially in remote settings where you don’t get to spend time together physically.
“Authentic leaders have that ability to connect emotionally through screens, fostering engagement and loyalty, even from afar,” said Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans.
“As leaders, we can leverage technology to amplify humanity. Use tools that can help facilitate meaningful conversations. Set time for one-on-one interactions so that your people can get to know you more deeply for who you truly are,” Zhou added.
When you’re transparent, approachable, and emotionally present as a leader, your virtual interactions become meaningful rather than transactional. This helps teams feel seen and valued, even when you’re miles away.
Wrapping Up
Authenticity is more than just a buzzword in today’s modern workplace. It’s a necessary leadership strategy that can make you a more effective head of the pack. As digital noise and AI continue to reshape how we work, the leaders who thrive will be those who remain real, relatable, and committed to empowering their people. So, lead authentically by not just guiding your team but also creating an environment where each member feels valued, inspired, heard, and motivated.
Author: Catherine Schwartz – HARO & Content Outreach
Photo credit: StockCake
