MIT Sloan Management Review 2025

Are You an Authentic Leader or an Authentic Jerk?

Hannes Leroy; Michael Daniels; Kristin L. Cullen; Alexandra Gerbasi

Abstract

Being your “authentic self” can undermine leadership effectiveness if it’s fueled by ego. Evidence drawn from years of collective research shows that a lived commitment to personal values is the hallmark of the type of authentic leadership that can successfully bring teams together in pursuit of positive change. Leaders can learn to practice humble authenticity by owning, managing, and sustaining their values.

DOI

10.63383/lari6079

Sources

openalex

Cite

APA 7 MLA 9 Chicago (author–date) Harvard Elsevier Harvard (JFE, JBF…) The Accounting Review Academy of Management American Marketing Association INFORMS (Management Science) Copy citation Copied ✓