28. When Authenticity Backfires: What Leaders Need to Know About 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...