by Jakub GrzadzielskiAuthentic Leadership: The Courage to Be Yourself Builds Trust
During our leadership journeys, many of us strive to embody the ideal boss. That was true for me: I always wanted to know the answer, be calm, confident, and professional. The result? A distance between me and my team, and the exhaustion of pretending. Over time, I realised that leadership is not just about what you do; it is about who you are. Real strength doesn’t lie in perfection, but in authenticity. When I stopped playing a role and started showing up as myself – consistent with my values and honest – relationships deepened, trust grew, and my team’s engagement increased.