In today’s world, trust is the currency of leadership. It’s what inspires teams, builds loyalty, and drives results. But trust isn’t earned through authority, titles, or polished speeches, it’s earned through authenticity.
As a senior leader, your ability to influence doesn’t come from pretending to have all the answers. It comes from showing up as your real self, flaws and all, and connecting with those you lead.
If you want to build trust and become the kind of leader people follow willingly, it’s time to stop the façade and start leading authentically.
Relentless Truth: Authenticity is Non-Negotiable
Leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty. People follow leaders they believe in, not leaders who act like they’re invincible.
Too many senior leaders fall into the trap of thinking they need to project strength at all costs. They avoid showing vulnerability, admitting mistakes, or sharing their challenges. But this approach creates distance, not connection.
Relentless leaders know that authenticity isn’t a weakness, it’s a superpower. Being honest about your struggles, your values, and your journey makes you relatable and trustworthy.
Resilient Leadership: Embrace Vulnerability
Being authentic doesn’t mean spilling your deepest secrets. It means showing that you’re human. Leaders who embrace vulnerability create an environment where others feel safe to do the same.
One of my clients, a COO of a fast-growing tech company, struggled to connect with her team. She felt pressure to have all the answers, but it created a barrier between her and her employees. Once she started sharing her own challenges (like managing stress and balancing work with family) her team opened up too. Trust soared, and with it, performance.
Resilient leaders don’t fear vulnerability. They use it to build stronger relationships and foster a culture of trust.
Redefining Influence: From Authority to Connection
Influence isn’t about commanding respect; it’s about earning it. And that starts with connection.
Redefine how you think about leadership. Instead of focusing on your authority, focus on how you can serve your team. Ask yourself, how can you make their jobs easier, their challenges smaller, and their goals more achievable?
Connection is the foundation of influence. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they follow not because they have to, but because they want to.
How to Build Trust and Influence Through Authenticity
If you’re ready to lead authentically and build unshakeable trust, here’s how to start.
- Be Transparent: Share your thought process, your decisions, and the reasoning behind them. Transparency builds understanding and trust.
- Admit Mistakes: Nobody expects you to be perfect. Admitting when you’re wrong shows humility and earns respect.
- Listen First: Stop talking and start listening. Show genuine interest in what your team has to say, and act on their feedback.
- Share Your Story: Your journey is part of your leadership. Share lessons learned, challenges overcome, and values that drive you.
- Align Actions with Words: Authenticity means nothing if your actions don’t match your promises. Consistency is key.
Why This Matters: Leadership is Personal
At its core, leadership is about relationships. It’s not a role you play; it’s the impact you have on the people around you. Authenticity is what turns a good leader into a great one, because it creates trust, loyalty, and influence that no title or authority can buy.
Your ability to lead authentically doesn’t just affect your team—it affects your legacy. The leaders who make the biggest impact are the ones who are unapologetically themselves, using their authenticity as a strength, not a shield.
Final Thoughts
Authenticity isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a must. If you want to build trust and influence as a senior leader, stop pretending and start connecting. Be relentless in your honesty, resilient in your vulnerability, and bold enough to redefine what leadership looks like.
When you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and build trust that lasts, drop me a message.Until next week,
Glenn out!
