Dr. Donya Ball is transformative superintendent, renowned for her leadership expertise, keynote speaking, and executive coaching. Author of Adjusting the Sails (2022) and Against the Wind (2023), she captivates audiences and readers globally for her thought leadership, including her TedXTalk, "We are facing a leadership crisis. Here's the cure."
This is the third and final article in a three-part series expanded from Dr. Donya Ball's 2024 TEDx Talk, "We are facing a leadership crisis. Here's the cure." Each installment explores a critical element of leadership: consistency, empathy, and authenticity, which serve as the trifecta for overcoming today’s leadership challenges.
Authenticity is the foundation upon which all great leadership is built. In an era of constant distractions, unrelenting demands, and crises that can make every issue feel like an emergency, leaders often find themselves so immersed in their work that they lose sight of who they are. The cost of this loss is significant, not only for the leader but for the entire organization. When a leader loses their identity in their work, they become disconnected from their people. When that connection is lost, the organization begins to unravel.
Why authenticity matters in leadership
The heartbeat of any organization is its people, and authentic leadership fosters a culture of trust, engagement, and resilience. Leaders who stay connected to their authentic selves create deeper, more meaningful relationships with their teams. Research from a 2023 study published in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies found that authentic leadership is positively associated with employee engagement and trust in the leader.
Every leader embodies a multifaceted identity: leader, mom, wife, daughter, professor, author, and more. Each role is an integral part of who they are, and neglecting any one aspect can lead to imbalance and burnout. To maintain authenticity and lead effectively, leaders must intentionally nurture every dimension of their identity.
The consequences of losing your identity in leadership
Authenticity in leadership is not about being perfect; it’s about being real. Losing oneself in work may seem like a necessary sacrifice, but it often leads to disconnection and, ultimately, the deterioration of the organization itself.
When a leader becomes consumed by their work and loses their identity:
Employee morale declines. Teams thrive under leadership that is personal, engaged, and present. When leaders disengage from their own identity, employees follow suit, leading to a culture of disengagement.
Trust erodes. Leaders who appear inauthentic or disconnected lose credibility with their teams, making it difficult to inspire loyalty and commitment.
The organization crumbles. Without authentic leadership, employees lack a guiding force. Decision-making becomes reactive rather than strategic, and the culture begins to deteriorate.
How to reconnect with your authentic self
Authenticity isn’t just about showing up; it’s about showing up as your true self. Leaders who prioritize self-connection cultivate deeper relationships and make more impactful decisions. Here are three practical ways to stay connected to your authentic self in leadership:
Do something every day that grounds you
The best leaders prioritize daily habits that reconnect them with their core values. Whether it’s physical activity, journaling, prayer, or engaging in reflective thinking, small daily actions keep leaders anchored in their identity. A 2023 study from Harvard Business Review highlights that leaders who engage in daily self-reflection are 32% more likely to exhibit authentic leadership traits.
Establish boundaries to protect your identity
Leaders often fall into the trap of equating busyness with effectiveness. However, when leaders become consumed by endless tasks, they lose their ability to lead with clarity. Setting boundaries, such as protecting personal time, delegating responsibilities, and saying no to non-essential demands, helps leaders preserve their energy and maintain their authenticity.
Surround yourself with people who appreciate the real you
Authenticity isn’t developed in isolation; it’s reinforced through relationships. Leaders should cultivate a network of trusted mentors, colleagues, and advisors who challenge them to stay true to their values. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies found that leaders with strong support systems are 45% more likely to exhibit authentic leadership behaviors.
In Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet, Dr. Ball emphasizes the importance of establishing a "flight crew" – a group of trusted individuals who offer diverse perspectives, are readily available, and are unafraid to challenge the leader in a respectful way. These crew members provide the honest feedback and support needed to navigate leadership challenges successfully.
Authentic leadership in action
Consider the story of a nonprofit executive who found herself buried in administrative work, losing sight of why she entered the field in the first place. By carving out intentional time each day to engage directly with the community she served, she reignited her passion and restored trust among her team.
Similarly, a CEO at a technology firm realized that his obsession with meeting quarterly targets was causing a disconnect with his employees. By prioritizing regular, unscripted conversations with his team, he rebuilt trust and cultivated a culture of transparency and engagement.
Likewise, a school district superintendent became so fixated on increasing standardized test scores that they lost sight of their core mission: serving students holistically. The pressure led to strained relationships with teachers and disengaged staff. By stepping away from purely data-driven decision-making and engaging directly with educators and students, the superintendent rekindled a sense of shared purpose and trust, leading to a healthier and more effective learning environment.
Authentic leadership does not mean showing all of your cards
Being an authentic leader does not mean revealing every aspect of yourself to everyone at all times. There is a distinction between being genuine and oversharing. Leaders must maintain professionalism while staying true to their values. Just because a CEO enjoys chardonnay does not mean she should take her subordinates to a wine bar every Friday night. Similarly, a medical director who loves stand-up comedy does not need to bring that persona into every patient care meeting.
Authenticity in leadership means being transparent about your values, making decisions with integrity, and leading with purpose without compromising professionalism. Maintaining appropriate boundaries helps leaders command respect while fostering a genuine, trust-filled environment. It is possible to be both relatable and authoritative, ensuring that authenticity does not blur the lines of professionalism.
Authenticity: The key to sustainable leadership
At the core of great leadership lies authenticity – the ability to stay true to oneself while guiding others. Leaders who maintain their identity amid challenges create organizations that are not only successful but also resilient and enduring.
As this series comes to a close, the leadership trifecta – consistency, empathy, and authenticity – stands as the foundation for overcoming today’s leadership crisis. Leaders who embody these traits inspire trust, foster innovation, and create thriving organizations. In a world that demands so much, staying connected to who you are is not just an act of self-preservation; it is an act of leadership itself.
Dr. Donya Ball, Leadership Expert, Motivational Speaker & Author
Dr. Donya Ball is a renowned keynote speaker, transformative superintendent, and passionate author. With over two decades of experience, she also serves as a professor and executive coach, mentoring and guiding aspiring and seasoned leaders. She has authored two impactful books, Adjusting the Sails (2022) and Against the Wind (2023), which address real-world leadership challenges. Her expertise has garnered national attention from media outlets like USA Today and MSN. Dr. Ball’s TEDxTalk, "We are facing a leadership crisis. Here’s the cure," further highlights her thought leadership.
