4 Signs You’re Not the Authentic Leader You Think You Are (And How to Fix It)

There’s so much chatter these days about what it means to be an authentic leader. And trust me, I’ve contributed to that noise. But let’s cut the fluff. Instead of asking what is authentic leadership, let’s ask the real question:

👉 How do you know if you’re not the authentic leader you think you are?

And more importantly—how do you fix it?

Because here’s the deal: authenticity in the workplace isn’t a buzzword. It’s the secret sauce that builds trust, connection, and loyalty. And if you’re missing it, your team’s already tuned out.

So let’s get real about the signs—and the simple, human ways to make that course correction.

1. You Read Scripts Word for Word

Look, I get it. The town hall is packed. The board meeting is intimidating. But if you stand up there with your perfectly polished script and read it word-for-word—congratulations, you’ve just given everyone a nap opportunity.

Here’s the harsh truth: passion and perfection can’t coexist. When people hear you reading perfect words off a piece of paper, they tune out. Because that’s not you—that’s your corporate communications department.

👉 Instead: Yes, have some talking points. But let the messy, human you shine through. People want to know you mean it—not that you memorized it.

2. You Sound Like a Corporate Robot on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn summary:

“Demonstrated ability to lead matrixed environments, drive synergy, and optimize paradigms.”

Translation: Snooze.

If your profile sounds like it was written by AI (or worse, your PR team), guess what? Nobody’s connecting with you. Authenticity at work starts online, too.

👉 Instead: Write in first person. Tell a story. Add a dash of humor. Even Oprah would probably write her own profile—be like Oprah.

3. You Post About Awards with “I’m Humbled and Honored”

We get it. You won. But here’s the thing—nobody wants another cookie-cutter brag post. When you hit that milestone, tell us why it matters. Share the struggle, the team effort, or the human moment that made it special.

👉 Instead: Drop the “humbled and honored” cliché. Give us the real story. That’s how you build authenticity in the workplace and beyond.

4. You’re a Hypocrite About Work-Life Balance

This one hits hard. You preach work-life balance, yet you’re online at 11 p.m. answering emails like a caffeine-fueled robot.

Your team’s watching—and they see the gap. Authentic leadership means modeling the behavior you want to see. Otherwise, your words? They’re just corporate wallpaper.

👉 Instead: Take that vacation. Log off when you say you will. When you show up with your authentic self at work, your team will too.

Ready to Lead for Real?

Hey, it’s okay if you see yourself in these. Nearly every leader does. But here’s the power move:

👉 Recognize the signs.

👉 Flip the script.

👉 Model the behavior you want to inspire.

Because at the end of the day, authenticity in the workplace isn’t about saying the right words—it’s about being the right you.

And that’s how you build a legacy that lasts.

Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.