How Authentic Are You? (Part I)

Exploring self-trust, emotional awareness, and the leadership power of staying true to your Self.

How faithful are you to yourself?

What level of self-trust do you have?

Do you follow through on your plans and values - or change your mind when pressure, distraction, or shinier options show up?

These are not easy questions. But they are essential for any leader - especially one who knows that effective leadership starts within, first and foremost.

Authenticity isn’t about branding. It’s about relationship - the one you have with your Self.

As Nietzsche said:

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

So how do you "own yourself"?

How do you lead and live in a way that reflects the real you - not the version designed to please, perform, or play it safe?

It begins with being honest about how you show up in your life - and whether that aligns with who you truly are when no one’s watching. The self that steps out into the world each day - does it feel connected to your core self, or does it feel like a mask?

This is the work I do every day with leaders - helping them bridge that gap between performance and presence, between image and identity.

And it all starts with this 3DLife® formula:

Self-Awareness + Self-Management + Self-Trust = Self-Leadership.

As Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself and not a second-rate version of someone else.”

The relationship you have with yourself drives everything - your decisions, boundaries, well-being, communication, relationships, leadership presence - even your wardrobe and dinner plans. (Yes, really.)

Why? Because every single choice you make is connected to your emotions. How you feel, how deeply you feel, and how you manage what you feel.

If you want to feel stronger, more confident, more aligned in your leadership - you need to understand your internal landscape. And that comes from building a more compassionate, connected relationship with your Self.

The good news? You get to choose what’s in that relationship. You get to decide what stays, what goes, what expands, and what heals.

As Dr. Seuss says: “You are you. Now, isn’t that pleasant?”

So how do we begin?

Think of this as reconnecting with someone you once knew but lost touch with. You’re going on a date with your Self - not the person or leader you present to others, but the version of you that has maybe been tucked away for far too long.

Start by getting curious. Ask deeper questions - not just memory-lane fluff, but things that help you understand who you are now, what you care about, and what you want to create.

And yes, this might feel awkward at first. But you’re worth knowing.

First, say no to the things that don’t align with your values and goals (do you know what they are?). Not because you’re cold or rigid - but because your energy matters.

Second, carve out reflective time in a space where you can hear yourself think. A quiet room. A beach. A forest. A journal. A voice note. A giant piece of paper and your favorite pen.

Then, explore these five self-inquiry questions:

1. What do I love about myself? What feelings do I have that tell me this is true for me?

2. What are some things I would change about myself? What feelings do I have that tell me this is true for me?

3. What initial clues do the answers from the first two questions give me about the quality of the relationship I have with myself?

4. What could I let go of to strengthen the relationship with my Self?

5. What could I add to strengthen the relationship with my Self?

As Dolly Parton wisely said: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

The stay-true-to-you-in-your-leadership journey doesn’t happen overnight. But it does begin with intention, curiosity, and a willingness to take a look at yourself that goes beyond the surface.

When you build that internal trust, saying no becomes easier.

Boundaries feel more natural.

And leadership - true leadership - feels like a reflection of your values, not a song-and-dance performance for others.

Your journey continues in Part II. Be sure to read it HERE.

And if this post resonated with you, share it with a leader who needs a nudge toward their own authentic self-leadership.

Until next time,