28. When Authenticity Backfires: What Leaders Need to Know About Being Real at Work

28. When Authenticity Backfires: What Leaders Need to Know About Being Real at Work

November 5, 2025 · 13 min · Season 1 · Episode 28

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of authenticity in leadership, particularly for women, and the potential pitfalls of being real at work.

Many women leaders want to show up authentically at work—honest, open, and confident—but it doesn’t always feel safe to do that. You’ve been told to “be yourself,” but also to “be strong,” “be professional,” and “don’t be too emotional.” It’s confusing. How can you be both a compassionate leader and a strong leader without being misunderstood? In this episode, I unpack what happens when authenticity backfires, why strong communicators sometimes get labeled as intimidating, and how to tell the...

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