{"id":48229,"date":"2022-03-31T18:58:46","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T22:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ccl.org\/?post_type=articles&p=48229"},"modified":"2025-06-10T07:46:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T11:46:23","slug":"authentic-women-re-energizing-work-and-home","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.ccl.org\/articles\/leading-effectively-articles\/authentic-women-re-energizing-work-and-home\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways That Women Can Lead Authentically"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being Inauthentic Is Exhausting. Here\u2019s How to Live & Lead More Authentically<\/h2>\n

Women aren\u2019t always true to themselves.<\/p>\n

In a vain attempt to live up to organizational norms and expectations, their behaviors sometimes go against their own values. But it\u2019s not easy being a phony. It takes a lot of energy to behave in ways that are out of sync with our true values, priorities, hopes, characteristics, and style. The energy expended trying to come across as something you\u2019re not is energy that\u2019s unavailable for work and other activities.<\/p>\n

The alternative to this predicament is authentic leadership<\/a> \u2014 a healthy alignment between your values and behaviors that can reenergize life at work and at home. Women who lead authentically have a good understanding of themselves and their priorities. They attend first to what\u2019s important to them, rather than what might be important to other people. They are clear about how they feel and what they need and prefer.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s difficult to develop your capabilities when you\u2019re suppressing your true values and style, or are distracted by inner conflict.<\/p>\n

Living Authentically Takes Effort, But It\u2019s Worth It, for Both Individuals & Organizations<\/h2>\n

Authenticity is best thought of as a condition or dynamic balance \u2014 and not a personality trait. As a goal, it\u2019s not clearly defined like earning an MBA degree. And achieving authenticity doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s yours to keep. You have to work to remain authentic, continually reviewing your priorities and choosing behaviors that match those priorities as circumstances change.<\/p>\n

But living a life strongly connected to your belief system promotes growth, learning, and psychological wellbeing. It\u2019s part of practicing holistic leadership<\/a>. That makes leading authentically an important factor in leadership development.<\/p>\n

Individual authenticity is important for organizations as well. People who are authentic bring their whole selves to their jobs and participate fully and honestly in the workplace.<\/p>\n

Organizations that place a premium on conformity at the expense of authenticity may be incurring hidden costs. Managers and employees who put on a false front or who struggle with feelings of inauthenticity at work exhaust so much of their energy that they often find themselves depleted and losing interest in their work.<\/p>\n

In addition, inauthenticity can often be recognized by others and become a disruptive, negative force, adding to uncertainty and distrust. Organizations that foster authentic behavior are more likely to have engaged, enthusiastic employees and psychologically safe workplaces<\/a> that are open, inclusive, and collaborative.<\/p>\n

A Closer Look at Women Who Lead Authentically<\/h2>\n

Authenticity \u2014 which can be described as a healthy alignment between your values and behaviors \u2014 is a powerful factor in the lives of leaders, especially women leaders.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Our researchers explored the choices and trade-offs facing high-achieving women in managerial and executive roles. Authenticity emerged as one of the 4 keys for success for women leaders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In our study<\/a>, women who demonstrated the greatest authenticity were in touch with what was most important to them and in tune with their instincts:<\/p>\n