The Missing Piece in Leadership? WHO You Are?
Let’s get real about leadership for a moment.
We’ve talked about leadership as action. As responsibility. As a verb, not a title. But there’s a deeper layer that often gets overlooked in leadership development programs and boardroom discussions alike.
It’s the layer of WHO.
Who you are. What you value. What you bring to the room when you’re not trying to be anyone else. It’s not just about being authentic, it’s about being aligned. And the truth is, without bringing who you are to how you lead, your leadership will always feel slightly off. L
The Problem When You Leave WHO at the Door
Here’s what happens when leaders ignore this essential layer:
- You become disconnected. From yourself. From your team. From the purpose that made you step into leadership in the first place.
- You lead through performance, not presence. You say the right things, but something’s missing. People feel it, and they don’t follow you for long.
- You burn out. Because holding up a version of yourself that isn’t rooted in who you are takes more energy than you think. Especially in high-stakes environments.
- You create shallow impact. Your leadership might deliver results in the short term. But the ripple effect? The kind that grows leaders around you? That only comes from the real you showing up.
So What Does It Actually Mean to Lead from WHO?
Bringing more of who you are to how you lead is not about being soft, emotional, or over-sharing. It’s about alignment between the inner and outer game of leadership.
It means you’ve taken the time to get clear on:
- Your values - and how they shape your decisions, even when it’s hard.
- Your strengths - and how to lead from them rather than compensating for perceived weaknesses.
- Your story - the life experiences that shaped your perspective and give you a unique lens.
- Your presence - how you show up and how others experience you when you’re fully engaged.
When you bring WHO to the table, leadership feels less like work and more like contribution. You stop ticking boxes and start creating real traction - not just for you, but for the people around you.
Leading from WHO Is a Game-Changer
Leaders who embrace WHO are the ones people want to follow. Not because they have all the answers, but because they’re real. They show up fully. They lead with empathy and edge. They listen more, connect more, and inspire more.
These leaders:
- Build trust faster
- Create cultures where people feel seen and valued
- Make bolder, more values-aligned decisions
- Amplify their leadership impact - sustainably
This Is the Work That Matters Now
In our new leadership program, we invite leaders to get curious - not just about what they do, but who they are. We help them connect the dots between identity and impact. And we support them in developing the kind of leadership presence that is both grounded and generative.
And if you’re a leader reading this, wondering where to start - start with a mirror.
Ask yourself:
- What do I stand for?
- How do I want others to experience me?
- Where am I hiding, performing, or holding back in my leadership?
- What would shift if I brought 10% more of my real self to work tomorrow?
Because the truth is: people don’t want perfect leaders. They want real ones.
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