BUSINESS NEWS - With trust in leadership declining across many sectors and employee burnout continuing to rise globally, a new leadership narrative is emerging, one rooted in radical authenticity, not performance.
According to industry trends (just check out the narratives on social media), authenticity has become one of the top qualities employees now expect from their leaders.
And the results are clear: real leadership drives real impact.
In today’s hybrid, fast-paced world of work, where team members often feel disconnected and overwhelmed, leadership expert and business consultant Jacqueline van Rooijen, is calling on executives and emerging leaders alike to “ditch the mask and lead with more soul – terrifying as it might be.”
“Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or being flaky, it’s about integrity, emotional consistency, and having the courage to be real,” says van Rooijen. “It’s not soft. It’s strategic.”
Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever
Multiple peer-reviewed studies continue to show that authentic leadership increases psychological safety, team engagement, and overall job satisfaction. Employees led by authentic leaders report greater trust in leadership, higher motivation, and lower turnover. In an AI, post-pandemic world, trust is no longer given - it’s earned. And that starts with leaders who are willing to show up honestly, especially when the pressure is on.
Practical Hacks to Lead More Authentically
Van Rooijen shares five key practices leaders can implement immediately:
- Conduct a Personal Values Audit: Identify your core values and assess whether your leadership decisions are aligned with them. Authentic leaders act from their convictions, not just convenience.
- Practice Radical Listening: Create intentional space in meetings to ask: “What am I not seeing or hearing right now?” Then pause. Authenticity starts with listening, not reacting.
- Name the Hard Stuff: Leaders don’t need to have it all together, but they do need to name what’s real. A simple “I don’t have the full answer yet” can humanise leadership and foster trust.
- Stop Speaking in Bullet Points: Start telling stories. Vulnerable, values-driven storytelling helps teams connect not just to a leader, but to the ‘why’ behind the work.
- Get Feedback from People Who’ll Tell You the Truth: Authenticity is a mirror you can’t hold alone. Ask peers, team members, and mentors where your impact and your intent might not be aligned. (Forward-thinking leaders are moving beyond ‘Yes Men’ and echo chambers.)
As companies grapple with rising attrition and employee disengagement, authenticity is no longer a buzzword - it’s a benchmark.
Van Rooijen, who works with leadership teams across various sectors to support this shift through workshops, coaching, and executive sessions, concludes: “The future of leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about building cultures where it’s safe to ask the right questions.”
Jacqueline van Rooijen
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