About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of authenticity in leadership and how to balance vulnerability with professionalism.

Why Bringing Your Whole Self to Work Is a Trap: Authenticity and Executive Presence Authenticity is everywhere in leadership advice. Be yourself. Be vulnerable. Bring your whole self to work. But almost no one tells you where that advice quietly backfires, or how oversharing can cost a strong performer their credibility. In this episode, Stephanie Bickel sits down with Dominique Murray, a marketing and technology leader, author, and longtime Speak by Design University member whose first impression is so strong Stephanie calls her a northbound train. Together they unpack the difference between authenticity that builds trust and authenticity that becomes a liability, why adapting how you show up is not the same as being fake, and how the best leaders use vulnerability with precision instead of spilling everything. You will also hear the small set of changes that completely shifted how a room responded to Stephanie, and why none of them cost her a thing. You'll learn: → The difference between good vulnerability and bad vulnerability → Why "that's just not me" is usually resistance, not authenticity → How to adapt to a room without feeling like you are performing → Where transparency…

People in this episode

Host: Stephanie Bickel

Guest: Dominique Murray

Topics covered

• authenticity
• leadership
• vulnerability
• executive presence
• trust
• communication

Keywords

• authenticity
• vulnerability
• leadership
• executive presence
• trust
• communication
• adaptability
• transparency

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Speak by Design University

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