Authentic Leadership: More Than a Buzzword, a Necessary Revolution
“Authentic leadership“—a term we hear increasingly often, but one that isn’t always fully understood. Is it just a trend? A shiny new buzzword in the world of management and psychology? No. It’s a necessary transformation.
Authentic leadership doesn’t stem from a title, a role, or a hierarchical position. It starts from within. From knowing yourself—your strengths, but also your shadows. From daring to grow and putting your talents in service of others. It’s the kind of purpose-driven leadership that inspires, mobilizes, and builds genuine trust.
What Is Authentic Leadership?
Authentic leadership is a way of leading based on personal integrity, alignment between values and actions, and a deep commitment to developing others. It’s not about seeming perfect—it’s about being real. And that authenticity, far from being a weakness, is a powerful source of vulnerability and positive influence.
Over more than 20 years of research and work with leaders in a variety of organizations, I’ve identified three key dimensions that define the authentic leadership model, which I present in my book Yours Truly: Staying Authentic in Leadership and Life.
The 3H Model of Authentic Leadership
This humanistic and transformational model is built around three core pillars I call the 3H of Authentic Leadership:
Heart: Inspiration Authentic leaders lead from the heart. They connect through empathy, passion, and emotional energy. They inspire others because they first inspire themselves.
Habit: Innovation There is no leadership without learning. Authentic leaders make personal growth a daily habit. They embrace a growth mindset and nurture routines that keep them evolving.
Harmony: Inclusion True leaders create safe, collaborative, and diverse spaces. They champion equity, inclusion, and belonging. They understand that leadership is not just about guiding people—it’s about building community.
The 9 Attributes of Authentic Leadership
In my model, the 3H of Authentic Leadership, I identify nine core qualities across these three dimensions. These are observable behaviors that anyone can intentionally develop with practice and commitment.
Passion Authentic leaders do what they love—and it shows. They radiate energy, spark motivation, and operate in a state of flow. Passion is contagious and uplifting.
Humility They know they don’t have all the answers. They listen, ask, learn. Humility enables them to harness collective intelligence and make better decisions. It’s not false modesty—it’s grounded courage.
Purposeful Storytelling They have a coherent life narrative. They understand their roots, know their values, and can clearly articulate why they do what they do. They lead with meaning.
Growth Mindset Authenticity isn’t about staying the same—it’s about continuous growth. They set ambitious goals, tolerate discomfort, and delay gratification in pursuit of long-term excellence.
Openness to Feedback They recognize the limits of self-awareness. They actively seek feedback and use it as a tool for development. Feedback is not criticism—it’s a path to growth.
Resilience In uncertain environments, failure is part of the journey. Resilience allows them to learn from mistakes, adapt to change, and emerge stronger. Fall. Learn. Move forward.
Coaching and Talent Development They focus not only on themselves, but on others. They act as coaches, spotting potential and helping people flourish. They build leaders, not followers.
Community Building They don’t lead to impose and control—they lead to connect. They foster cultures where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels they belong. Inclusion isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Legacy Authentic leaders think beyond the present. Their vision is generative—they plant trees whose shade they may never sit under. They lead with future impact in mind.
Why Authentic Leadership Is More Urgent Than Ever
We are living in a paradox. We’ve never needed leadership more yet trust in leaders is at an all-time low. Recent studies show that nearly 50% of people do not trust the leaders in their companies, institutions, or governments.
This trust crisis demands a clear response: a return to authentic leadership.
Authentic leadership doesn’t just boost performance—it elevates human well-being. It creates psychologically safe environments, more cohesive teams, and more humane organizations.
And this leads to very tangible results: better mental health, higher engagement, and sustainable performance.
My Experience with the Spanish Army in the Canary Islands
To illustrate how authentic leadership thrives even in the most demanding environments, let me share one of my most impactful recent experiences—invited by the Spanish Army’s Command in the Canary Islands.
Immersion in a Military Setting
In Tenerife, I had the honor of experiencing a deeply human approach to military leadership. From my stay at the Paso Alto military residence—a residential space with pool, family places, and social activities—it was clear: leadership is about people and care.
Talk at La Hoya: 150 Officers in Uniform
The next day, I gave a keynote on authentic leadership to 150 army officers. Nervousness, emotion, a full auditorium, and some rebellious tech that eventually cooperated. We discussed vulnerability, Shakespeare’s Henry V speech, and the power of authenticity in high-stakes roles.
The questions that followed were profound:
What happens when we lead with too much heart?
Where’s the line between empathy and emotional burnout?
These were not theoretical. They came from real leaders facing real challenges.
Afternoon Talk at the Círculo de la Amistad
That afternoon, I continued the conversation with a mixed civil and military audience, covering:
Narcissistic leaders—why we fall for them, how to recognize and avoid them.
Situational leadership—knowing when to act firmly and when to invite collaboration.
Personal power—how real authority stems from trust, not rank.
Middle managers—the true backbone of organizational leadership.
The closing was an ovation, but the real reward came afterward: personal stories, heartfelt thanks, and quiet examples of everyday leadership that keep missions—and people—together.
The Lieutenant General ended the session with words I’ll never forget:
“Your words opened a door—like Ali Baba’s—that revealed a treasure. And now that it’s open, it can’t be closed.”
Conclusion: A Revolution That Starts With You
Authentic leadership is not reserved for a few. It’s a daily practice. A conscious decision to live and lead with integrity, passion, and purpose.
It’s not about being perfect but being consistent. Not about leading through authority, but through truth. Not about impressing but about creating real impact.
If we want more humane organizations, happier teams, and a more hopeful future, we need more authentic leaders. And that begins with you.
“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
That is the legacy of authentic leadership. And you can begin building it today.
If you’d like to know more and develop these competencies in your life or organization, I invite you to read my book Yours Truly: Staying Authentic in Leadership and Life. It includes real-world cases, practical tools, and actionable insights to bring authenticity from theory into practice.
You can contact me directly through the form for conferences, executive coaching, and workshops, and I’ll help you take that first step—with scientific evidence, experience, and purpose.
