What if we told you that the secret behind authentic leadership isn’t about being perfect? What if we said that good leadership requires more than just being charismatic and visionary?
Great leadership is about being real, honest, and leading as your true self. If we were to ask you to travel back, could you recall what your favorite boss was like? We bet it wasn’t someone who stayed behind closed doors and bragged about knowing it all. Your favorite boss was the person who listened to you, who made you feel comfortable, owned up to mistakes, and above all, brought her ‘human self’ to work. This is authentic leadership in action. And precisely what employees today are looking for.
But here’s where it gets tricky: how do you lead authentically when you’re still figuring out who you are as a leader?
Our client, Chris, discovered this the hard way. Four months into his promotion as Director of Operations, and he still felt disconnected from his team. He’d been working by the book, following all the rules, and yet didn’t seem to be leading in his true form. That’s when he approached Crosworks. Through our personalized leadership coaching sessions, Chris learned to focus on his strengths and lead with authenticity. He’s been a different leader since then. “The shift’s been remarkable, guys!” “My team is more engaged, better focused, and I’ve built a great connection with everyone. I couldn’t have done this without Crosworks,” said Chris, while sharing his feedback with us.
Looking to transform your leadership approach? Book a free explanatory call to learn about Crosworks’ Leadership Coaching and get a customized plan that fits your unique leadership situation and goals.
Why Authentic Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Most people can spot a phony leader from a mile away. Let’s be real, with easy access to technology, digital connectivity, and social media transparency, it’s not so easy to keep pretending anymore. So, if you’re a leader, know that your team wants you to show up as the ‘real you.’ You’ve got to put the corporate mask aside and start leading with fervor, compassion, and honesty.
Ready to discover how you can master this game-changing approach? Here are some must-read books that will help you improve as a leader this year.
Five Books That Will Transform Your Leadership Approach
“Dare to Lead” By Brene Brown
If you’ve ever felt that vulnerability has no place in the boardroom, Brené Brown is about to change your mind. She flips traditional leadership thinking by showing how courage and vulnerability go hand in hand.
What makes this book stand out? Brown just doesn’t tell you to be vulnerable; rather, she reveals practical ways to embrace discomfort, have tough conversations, and lead with an open heart. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being open to the unknown, having the courage to say, “Hey, I’m not too sure about this one,” and building the curiosity to figure things out as a team.
“Leaders Eat Last” By Simon Sinek
In this book, Simon Sinek asks his readers a simple yet powerful question: What if leaders were to put their teams first?
He talks about creating a ‘circle of safety’ at work, where people feel prioritized, protected, and valued. He focuses on the improvement of performance and productivity. How? By having better, stronger, and cohesive teams. This isn’t a soft approach; in fact, Sinek intelligently labels this as a smart leadership strategy that helps build an empathetic, transparent, and strong work culture.
“Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value” By Bill George
Bill George led Medtronic as CEO for over a decade, and he’s got the battle scars and wisdom to prove it. But here’s what makes this book worth holding on to: George remains generously honest about his struggles and failures, sharing life lessons as he moves along.
Through personal stories and real-world examples, he shows that the most effective leaders are those who stay true to their core values, even when it’s difficult. At the end of it, this book will challenge you to ask hard questions about what really drives you as a leader.
“Integrity” By Dr. Henry Cloud
Dr. Henry Cloud brings his expertise as a clinical psychologist to the leadership table. And the results are fascinating! He explores how character (your real, inner character) separates good leaders from truly great ones.
He identifies the essentials of integrity, which are: the ability to connect with people authentically, understand situations realistically, and finish what you start. While anyone can benefit from this book, the principles laid down by Dr. Cloud are a must-know for you if you want to lead with authenticity.
Because at the end of the day, people don’t follow titles; they put their faith in leaders whom they respect and trust.
“True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership” By Bill George
Imagine being able to learn from 125 top leaders about what made them successful. This is exactly what Bill George and Peter Sims offer in their book, “True North.”
Through interviews, the book highlights self-discovery, values, motivations, and support networks as important factors of good leadership. George and Sims, through this book, have also enabled readers to create a Personal Leadership Development Plan to help them grow as leaders continuously.
What’s Next?
So, there you have it! You’ve successfully unlocked our well-kept secret to ‘The Best Five.’ Crosworks’ treasured list of five fantastic books to get you started on how to be an authentic leader in 2026.
Want in on a fun fact? All these books highlight the same truth: the best leaders are those who lead from their values, build genuine connections with their teams, don’t shy away from making mistakes, and never cease to learn and grow further.
Not sure where to start, with this list or in general? Chatting with one of our leadership coaches would be a good first step. We’ll help you figure out the first best read based on your current challenges or needs and create a customized plan for your unique leadership journey. An explanatory call is free.