Authenticity Is Key: Bring Your True Self To Your Leadership

”Why not bring your authentic self?”

Sandy Ko, founder and principal of Customer Contact Week Women, says her background as a South Korean immigrant shaped her leadership style and gave her permission to “exist loudly.”

“Growing up in the 90s, in my second corporate job, senior leadership was the Boys Club of all white males.” She adds that she found, “There is power in connecting outside of your wheelhouse.”

After moving with her family to New Jersey when she was six, she found, “Everyone had a network. We didn’t have any family here. It was difficult to find Korean communities.”

Why Being Your Authentic Self May Be A Lie For Most Women At Work

For anyone who has been told she is “difficult,” “tough,” “has a big personality,” and needs to tone it down, calm down, be a little less whatever, all this popular rhetoric on being your authentic self at work can be, well, inauthentic and not true. Research shows that authentic works at the top, perhaps, and in some company cultures where inclusion is a value, not a hiring tool.

Our Favorite Pearls of Wisdom from Carla Harris

On Tuesday, March 3rd, Take The Lead hosted Morgan Stanley banker and gospel singer Carla Harris as the first guest in our 2015 Virtual Happy Hour series. Throughout the session, Carla wowed participants with a master class on being yourself at work and strategizing for success. A few of our favorite pearls of wisdom from the evening are below.

Inspirational Role ModelsTake The LeadMarch 18, 2015Authenticity, Carla Harris, Negotiation, Pearls, Virtual Happy Hour, WisdomComment

Why Leaders Must Create a Culture Where It’s Safe to Air Insecurities, Make Mistakes, and Admit Failure

One of the most important things a leader can do is create a culture in which it’s safe to express doubts and fears, make mistakes, and admit failure. Such a culture yields four powerful rewards.