Here’s something to reflect on this month: The grounding for the NooWay® is authenticity.

When you stop apologising for who you are and lead from your strengths, you not only unlock your own potential, you also begin to feel genuinely confident, energised, and fulfilled.

But many leaders spend years masking – consciously or unconsciously hiding parts of themselves to fit expectations, keep the peace, or live up to a version of leadership that doesn’t feel like them because they feel that’s what’s expected of them.

‍

When we mask ourselves, what happens is this:

• Cognitive dissonance: You experience an inner conflict between how you act and who you really are, which quietly drains your energy.

• Emotional suppression: Holding back your true thoughts or feelings builds stress, anxiety, releasing cortisol and eventually can lead to burnout.

• Identity erosion: Over time, it becomes harder to answer the question “What do I really want?” because you’ve lost sight of your own voice.

Masking might help you survive in the short term, but it prevents you from thriving in the long term.

‍

Three Ways to Get Started on leading authentically – The NooWay® Approach

1. Navigate Your Truth

Take a step back and ask: When am I at my best? When do I feel most like myself? Journaling these moments helps you reconnect with your authentic self.

2. Own Your Strengths

Shift the focus from what’s “wrong” with you to what’s strong within you. Identifying and actively using your strengths is the quickest route to leading authentically.

3. Optimise Your Energy

Notice where masking drains you and where authenticity fuels you. Start making small adjustments – one conversation, one decision, one meeting – where you choose to show up as yourself as reflect on what you notice.

‍

Authentic leadership doesn’t mean being perfect or exposing every part of yourself. It means aligning your actions with your values, your strengths, and your truth.

‍

And here’s the gift, when you show up authentically, you give others permission to do the same. That ripple effect transforms not just you, but the people and culture around you, not just at work but in external relationships too.

‍