#0432  –  Why Authentic Leadership Is So Hard at Work with Dr. Rashidah Leverett

#0432 – Why Authentic Leadership Is So Hard at Work with Dr. Rashidah Leverett

From Deep Leadership by Jon S. Rennie

May 14, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 432

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges of authentic leadership in the workplace with Dr. Rashidah Leverett.

Most leadership advice tells you to “just be authentic.” But what happens when the workplace pressures you to become someone else? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I sit down with leadership coach, consultant, and author Dr. Rashida Leverett to explore why authentic leadership is so difficult in today’s workplace. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in the military, government, higher education, and corporate leadership, Rashida explains how many leaders struggle with what she calls “identity fragmentation” — becoming one person at work and another everywhere else. We discuss: Why middle managers are often the most overlooked leaders in organizations The trust gap created when leaders say one thing but do another How leaders lose credibility without realizing it Why self-awareness and emotional intelligence matter more than ever Rashida’s “Four Sights of Visionary Leadership” framework: foresight, insight, hindsight, and oversight How to integrate your values into leadership without becoming performative or preachy This conversation is packed with practical leadership wisdom for anyone trying to lead with integrity, clarity, and conviction in a complicated world. Dr…

People in this episode

Host: Jon S. Rennie

Guest: Dr. Rashidah Leverett

Topics covered

  • authentic leadership
  • identity fragmentation
  • middle management
  • trust gap
  • self-awareness
  • emotional intelligence
  • visionary leadership

Keywords

  • leadership
  • authenticity
  • workplace
  • credibility
  • values
  • emotional intelligence
  • trust
  • middle managers

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