Authenticity vs. Authority: Striking the Right Balance in Leadership Branding

Let’s be real, leadership today looks very different from what it used to be. 

It’s no longer just about holding meetings, making decisions, or being the most experienced person in the room. Today’s leaders are expected to do so much more, to inspire, to represent, to communicate, and to connect, all while driving results and navigating uncertainty. 

In many ways, leadership has become as much about how you show up as it is about what you do. You’re no longer just the decision-maker. You’re the face, the voice, and the energy behind your team or organization. In other words, you are the brand. 

And that naturally raises a critical question: 

What should your leadership voice sound like? 

Should it lean into authenticity, being honest, vulnerable, and deeply human?
Or should it prioritize authority, showing strength, clarity, and confident direction? 

The reality is you don’t have to choose. In fact, the most compelling leaders today are the ones who’ve figured out how to blend both. They bring the heart and the backbone. They speak from a place of honesty, but lead with credibility. And that’s the kind of leadership people not only respect, but remember. 

The Power of Authenticity 

We’ve all heard it before: “Just be yourself.”
But in leadership, that advice can feel… vague. What does being yourself really look like when you’re responsible for people, strategy, and outcomes? 

Being authentic as a leader means letting people see the human behind the role. It means sharing your story, not just the polished version that makes it to your résumé, but the real, messy, learning-in-progress version. When you open up about the hard decisions, the lessons learned, the pivots you didn’t see coming, that’s when people start to feel truly connected to you. 

Authenticity builds trust because it removes the filter. It’s not about overexposure or turning your leadership journey into a therapy session. It’s about being relatable, intentional, and clear about your values. In a world where so much feels scripted, being real is a leadership superpower. 

The Importance of Authority 

But let’s not downplay the other side of the equation, authority still matters a lot. 

Authenticity may open the door, but authority gives people the confidence to walk through it with you. 

When you lead with authority, you bring a sense of direction and purpose. You show up with clarity, you make hard decisions without flinching, and you inspire confidence in uncertain times. People trust you not just because you are kind or honest, but because you’ve demonstrated that you know what you’re doing, and they believe you can lead them where they need to go. 

Authority doesn’t mean being domineering or distant. It doesn’t require you to have all the answers or never make mistakes. It means owning your role with confidence and showing that you can be counted on, especially when it matters most. 

Finding the Right Voice 

So how do you bring both authenticity and authority into your leadership voice? It’s about being intentional in how you show up, communicate, and engage. 

• Be human, but not boastful.
  Your story doesn’t have to be a highlight reel. In fact, the more honest you are about the messy parts, the more people see your growth and resilience. 

• Be clear, but not cold.
  Authority isn’t about shutting people out; it’s about giving them something solid to lean on. Speak with purpose but always make room for connection. 

• Be consistent.
  Whether you’re speaking at a town hall, on a podcast, or posting on LinkedIn, your tone and message should feel unmistakably “you.” Great leadership branding is rooted in alignment, people trust what they recognize. 

A Final Thought 

Leadership branding isn’t about choosing between being authentic or authoritative, it’s about knowing when to lean into each, and how to hold space for both. 

It’s that rare and valuable balance where vulnerability meets conviction, where approachability is backed by competence, and where being “real” doesn’t come at the cost of being respected. 

And so, the question every modern leader must answer isn’t,
“Should I be authentic or authoritative?” 

It’s this –  What kind of leader am I becoming, and is that someone people want to follow? 

The answer might just define your brand, and your impact. 

Storyteller