Authentic Leadership: How I Built a Career and embraced it

From Stage to Strategy: My Unlikely Career Path to Authentic Leadership

My career began on stage — as an actress and theater manager. That’s where I learned how powerful presence, body language, and clear communication can be.

When I transitioned into media and tech, those same skills opened doors. I moved into strategy and leadership roles in fast-paced companies shaped by big personalities and constant change.

Early on, I realized: Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about attitude, impact, and ultimately, authentic leadership.

Facing Ego-Driven Leadership

In my early years, I encountered leaders whose ego defined their leadership style:

Power games over collaboration
Decisions made to protect reputation, not find the best solution
Loyalty rewarded over competence — “servants” protecting the “king”

These patterns weren’t isolated to one company — they spanned industries. Humor was often weaponized to deflect criticism; “care” became a control tool disguised as team-building.

This is where I first understood that authentic leadership was not the norm — and that many workplaces were paying the price for ego-driven decision-making.

Media vs. Tech: Different Styles, Same Challenges

Media leaders tend to be charismatic — skilled at presence and communication — but often lack technical depth.

Tech leaders bring technical brilliance but can default to micromanagement and KPI obsession.

Different styles, same issue: most were never truly prepared to lead. They rose through networks or technical expertise but lacked coaching to handle people, culture, and complexity. That’s why authentic leadership became my north star — a way to lead without playing power games.

The Turning Point: Redefining Leadership

At some point, I asked myself:
Do I want to lead like this? Do I want to perpetuate these systems?

My answer: No.

I began unlearning ego-driven habits and asking:

What if leadership was about presence, not arrogance?
Listening, not imposing?
Trust, not control?
Clarity, not power games?

These questions became the foundation for my journey toward authentic leadership — a model that focuses on trust, transparency, and empowering others.

Unlearning Ego: My Process

For years, I thought ego was necessary to survive in high-stakes industries. But I learned the opposite:

The more I let go of ego and embraced authentic leadership, the more effective I became. I defined my values, trusted my intuition, and built environments where people felt safe to bring their best selves.

Authentic leadership is not about perfection. It’s about self-awareness, a willingness to admit mistakes, and creating a space where innovation thrives because people feel trusted and respected.

Daily Habits to Practice Authentic Leadership

To make authentic leadership tangible, build small rituals like these:

Open with intention; close with explicit next steps.
Ask one open question before offering advice.
Explain the “why” behind decisions; invite dissent.
Close loops fast: acknowledge, adjust, communicate updates.
Celebrate learning and progress; model vulnerability weekly.

These micro-behaviors compound into authentic leadership that people can feel every day.

Where I Am Today

Today, my leadership blends clarity, empathy, and courage. I coach leaders — especially women — to:

Find their voice
Release ego-driven patterns
Lead with authentic leadership in media, tech, and beyond

I’ve seen firsthand how shifting from ego-driven to authentic leadership transforms not only team performance but also personal fulfillment.

Your Path to Ego-Free Leadership

You don’t have to play power games to lead powerfully. With the right reflection and coaching, you can grow into authentic leadership that scales with impact — in any industry.

Book your free Clarity Call today — let’s design your path to authentic, ego-free leadership.

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