Aligning Values with Responsibility

Authentic leadership is about finding the balance between staying true to yourself and honoring the responsibilities of your role. When leaders show up authentically, they build trust, foster engagement, and reduce the risk of burnout. In this episode of Shelley on Your Shoulder, Shelley Saeger and Drew explore how authentic leadership emerges during challenging situations and offer practical guidance for developing your own authentic leadership style.

Key insights from the episode:

• Authentic leadership balances personal truth with professional responsibility. It’s about honoring both your identity and your role.
• Research proves the impact. Studies show authentic leadership significantly boosts employee engagement and retention.
• Challenging moments reveal authenticity. Delivering difficult news often exposes whether a leader’s actions align with their values.
• The struggle is real. Leaders face discomfort when asked to communicate messages they don’t fully believe.
• The “moment of truth.” Authenticity is tested when personal values appear to conflict with organizational responsibilities.
• Authenticity ≠ license for poor behavior. It’s about alignment between personal integrity and organizational needs—not unchecked self-expression.
• Three steps to authentic leadership:
  1. Deepen your self-knowledge.
  2. Define your leadership brand.
  3. Allow your approach to evolve over time.
• Honest vulnerability matters. Teams remember leaders who acknowledge challenges while still supporting organizational direction.

When leaders choose authenticity, they earn trust and loyalty that lasts well beyond the moment. Teams value leaders who communicate honestly, show vulnerability, and align their actions with both personal values and organizational goals.

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Ready to begin your own leadership journey or have questions? Visit 7bigconsulting.com to schedule your complimentary discovery call today. Begin transforming your leadership journey with the clarity to lead and the confidence to succeed.