--- title: How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent and Authentic Leader description: Authentic leadership doesn't mean to assert power; it means to connect with others, to inspire teams to be their best while seeking the best of the whole. image: https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/Application-developers-at-work.-626999150_2294x1311.jpeg --- [![Heartmanity](https://heartmanity.com/wp-content/files/heartmanity-logo-web.png "Heartmanity")](https://heartmanity.com) [Schedule a Conversation](https://heartmanity.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=30172362) [Shop](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/) [Get In Touch](https://heartmanity.com/contact/) - [Home](https://heartmanity.com/) - [Our Focus and Expertise](https://heartmanity.com/our-focus-and-expertise/) - [BrainFitness](https://heartmanity.com/brain-fitness/) - [Emotional Intel](https://heartmanity.com/emotional-intel/) - [Habits for Health](https://heartmanity.com/habits-for-health/) - [Relationship Mastery](https://heartmanity.com/relationship-mastery/) - [About](https://heartmanity.com/about/) - [Individuals](https://heartmanity.com/individuals/) - [No-Nonsense Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/no-nonsense-coaching/) - [Return to Serenity](https://heartmanity.com/return-to-serenity/) - [One-Year Makeover](https://heartmanity.com/one-year-makeover/) - Couples - [Drama-Free Marriage](https://heartmanity.com/drama-free-marriage/) - [Marriage Tune-Up](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#tune-up) - [Couples Mentoring](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#mentoring) - [Premarital Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#coaching) - [Drama-Free Weddings](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/#weddings) - Parents - [HeartPrints® Parenting](https://heartmanity.com/heartprints-parenting/) - [Parent Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/#coaching) - [Family Coaching](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/#visits) - [WombPrints](https://heartmanity.com/heartprints-parenting/#wombprints) - [Professionals](https://heartmanity.com/professionals/) - [Heartmanity for Business](https://heartmanity.com/business/) - [Heartlead Business](https://heartmanity.com/heartmanity-for-business/) - [MomPreneurs](https://heartmanity.com/mompreneurs/) - [Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/) - [Heartlead Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartlead-resources/) - [Drama-Free Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/drama-free-resources/) - [HeartPrints® Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/heartprints-resources/) - [Serenity Resources](https://heartmanity.com/resources/serenity-resources/) - [Blog](https://blog.heartmanity.com/) - [Emotional Intelligence & Fitness](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/emotional-intelligence-fitness) - [Leadership and Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/leadership-and-business) - [Love, Marriage, and Relationships](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/love-marriage-and-relationships) - [Parents: Permission to Be Imperfect](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/parents-permission-to-be-imperfect) - [Brain Fitness, Mindfulness and Perspective](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/brain-fitness-mindfulness-and-perspective) - [Communication & Interpersonal Skills](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/communication-interpersonal-skills) - [Habits for Health](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/habits-for-health) Heartmanity's Blog Search Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Topics: Select a topic... All Emotional Intelligence & Fitness Leadership and Business Love, Marriage, and Relationships Parents: Permission to Be Imperfect Brain Fitness, Mindfulness and Perspective Communication & Interpersonal Skills Habits for Health Heartmanity Webinars, Classes, and Events Filters # [*How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent and Authentic Leader*](https://blog.heartmanity.com/how-to-be-an-authentic-leader) Again and again, throughout the history of effective leaders, a consistent sentiment has echoed: to be an authentic leader is not to lead the most people, wield the most power, or even achieve the most outcomes. To be an authentic leader lies deeper than those surface measures, in character and [emotional intelligence](https://blog.heartmanity.com/what-is-emotional-intelligence). We'll give you the key ingredients; the rest is up to you! *Estimated reading time: 4 minutes* ![A compass to authentic leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Golden-Compass-Concept-685797114_2313x1301.jpeg?width=560&name=Golden-Compass-Concept-685797114_2313x1301.jpeg "A compass to authentic leadership") ## Authentic Leadership Begins By Inspiring and Empowering Teams “Great things in business are never done by one person.” Great achievements in the business world are rarely the result of a single individual's efforts. Instead, they are the culmination of collaborative endeavors, where diverse talents and perspectives come together to create something truly remarkable. It is through the synergy of teamwork, where each member contributes their unique strengths and insights, that extraordinary outcomes are realized. In 2003—the year Apple launched the iTunes music store—Steve Jobs went on 60 Minutes and explained his view of leadership. Watch the video below. Is there a “boss” that impressed upon you what it means to be a fair, just, and effective leader? Who comes to mind when you think of power handled correctly? Or are you experiencing [micromanaging](https://blog.heartmanity.com/authentic-leadership-versus-micromanagement-reasons-why-it-matters)? Interestingly, “leader” is not first and foremost defined as a high-ranking person. In fact, the first example of a leader (n.) at Merriam-Webster, is “something that leads: such as: a primary or terminal shoot of a plant.” This might seem odd—it is also spot-on! To lead is to be connected and alive, as a plant’s tendrils are connected to their roots and their environment, seeking nutrients and sunlight for growth. A business needs to be a sustainable ecosystem, just like nature. A leader cannot exist without the living thing it’s growing out of; it cannot exist in a vacuum; it must be actively growing and interacting. And honoring the [eight forms of business capital](https://blog.heartmanity.com/trends-and-how-to-build-a-sustainable-business-that-thrives). When the definition of leader does get to human leaders, it lists them in this order: guide, conductor, military director, a commanding authority, the head of a political party (and then, somewhat inexplicably, “a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team”). One thing all of these associations have in common is the team aspect. Like the plant, a human leader is part and parcel of the group. Related reading: "[27 Best Ways to Raise Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace](https://blog.heartmanity.com/emotional-intelligence-in-workplace)." **So what sets an authentic leader apart from the rest of the group?** ![Authentic leaders inspire growth and employee engagement](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Application-developers-at-work.-626999150_2294x1311.jpeg?width=600&name=Application-developers-at-work.-626999150_2294x1311.jpeg "Authentic leaders inspire learning") ### Being Authentic in Leadership Increases Connection and Presence This is where the idea of **authenticity** becomes paramount. When you encounter a *true* leader, you know it. Their presence is commanding but not demeaning; they forge ahead but not through cold, isolated self-interest; they are both fully connected and a beacon to look toward. They [create employee engagement](https://blog.heartmanity.com/empathy-in-the-workplace) without even trying. Here, the verbs in the definition of the term leader are telling. A leader by definition is someone who “directs,” “has authority,” “manages,” “presides,” and/or “goes first.” They go first in paving the way of courageous humility and transparency. *Nowhere is force mentioned, control or power!* When discussing leadership with a colleague, I was told this unusual example of what a leader meant to her. With the term “leader,” what came to mind was a boot-clad teacher with long blonde hair, two children, and the look of a former women’s water polo player. Surprising, right? She continues: > She is wearing a grey sweater dress, standing in the basement room of a small, private college in Portland, Oregon, and talking about long-form journalism. She was loud but nonabrasive. She placed her students in uncomfortable situations, like shadowing their heroes, to let them learn for themselves. She was technically a non-tenured Media and Society professor with a softball hobby, but she is the leader in my mind *because of the way she made me feel and grow.* She became my example, and now I am inspired to lead as she did. A leader could be defined in many ways—the tendons that cause physical movement; punctuation like ellipsis used to lead the eye; a lure guiding fish into a trap; a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape. ![An authentic leader walking in a restaurant while mentoring an employee.](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Man%20walking%20in%20restraurant%20with%20women%20computer_AdobeStock_297269397%20Compressed.jpeg?width=6016&height=3384&name=Man%20walking%20in%20restraurant%20with%20women%20computer_AdobeStock_297269397%20Compressed.jpeg) ### The Meaning of an Authentic Leader To be **authentic**, however, has less to do with what you’re connected to and more to do with the fact that you are indeed connected to the whole. And because you're connected to the whole, you have [work-life balance](https://blog.heartmanity.com/why-work-life-balance-isnt-the-best-solution). It is a profound understanding and acknowledgment that *you are an integral part of a larger whole* and you lead from this truth. This sense of belonging and interconnectedness creates a deeper awareness of your role within the broader context of your team, company, and community. It is this self- and other-awareness that transforms how you lead. One must lead oneself before leading others. By recognizing that your actions and decisions impact not only yourself but also those around you, you cultivate a sense of responsibility while also being [an empathetic leader](https://blog.heartmanity.com/empathetic-leadership). This kind of [authentic leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/how-to-skyrocket-your-results-with-authentic-leadership) allows you to prioritize effectively, ensuring that you nurture both your professional aspirations and personal well-being. Embracing this holistic perspective enables you to lead with authenticity, creating a [company culture](https://blog.heartmanity.com/simple-and-effective-ways-to-build-a-thriving-team) where both you and those you lead can thrive. One could slightly edit Jobs’ statement in the 2003 interview to read: “Great things are never done by one person. They are grown by an authentic leader." Related reading: Check out our blog "[Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in Leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/emotional-intelligence-and-empathy-in-leadership)." ![Lead with authenticity by gaining emotional intelligence skills today!](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HRT_Icons_INTEGRATE-02.png?width=91&height=91&name=HRT_Icons_INTEGRATE-02.png) For emotional intelligence training, team building, or to learn skills to be an authentic leader, [contact us at Heartmanity](https://heartmanity.com/contact/). ### Like the article? Help us spread the word and share it! Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn **![Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jennifer%20in%20Navy_Return%20to%20Serenity.jpg?width=225&name=Jennifer%20in%20Navy_Return%20to%20Serenity.jpg)[Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business](https://blog.heartmanity.com/author/jennifer-a-williams-heartmanity-for-business)** Jennifer, the Heartmanity Founder, is an Executive Coach and Relationship Strategist. Her decades of expertise in training leaders and teams give her amazing insights. Jennifer's primary focuses are authentic leadership, effective communication, and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Jennifer teaches a holistic approach, specializing in transforming unproductive behaviors into emotionally intelligent actions, which creates thriving work relationships and catapults a company to success. ### You may also like: ![Why a Growth Mindset Is Essential for Entrepreneurship](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg) [Why a Growth Mindset Is Essential for Entrepreneurship](https://blog.heartmanity.com/why-a-growth-mindset-is-essential-for-entrepreneurship) ![Leveraging the Benefits of Technology to Help Manage Modern Workforce Needs](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Large-Modern-Interactive-Display-Screen-872025000_Compressed.jpeg) [Leveraging the Benefits of Technology to Help Manage Modern Workforce Needs](https://blog.heartmanity.com/leveraging-the-benefits-of-technology-to-help-manage-modern-workforce-needs) ![How to Promote Kindness in the Workplace for a Stronger Culture](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Audience-Applauding-Speaker-At-Business-Conference-505410542_2125x1416-compressor.jpeg?width=250&height=150&name=Audience-Applauding-Speaker-At-Business-Conference-505410542_2125x1416-compressor.jpeg) [How to Promote Kindness in the Workplace for a Stronger Culture](https://blog.heartmanity.com/promote-kindness-in-the-workplace) ![3 Secrets from a Veteran Mompreneur: Balance Career and Family Without Working Mom Guilt](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Smiling-businesswoman-looking-at-camera-while-sitting-at-desk-000064388595_SM_Compressed.jpg?width=250&height=150&name=Smiling-businesswoman-looking-at-camera-while-sitting-at-desk-000064388595_SM_Compressed.jpg) [3 Secrets from a Veteran Mompreneur: Balance Career and Family Without Working Mom Guilt](https://blog.heartmanity.com/working-mom-guilt) Posted in [Business and Leadership](https://blog.heartmanity.com/topic/business-and-leadership) © Heartmanity 2026 [Back to Blog](https://blog.heartmanity.com) ### Free Newsletter! ### Featured Online Courses [![Online Course - Emotional Fitness for the 21st Century](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/blog-files/blog-side-fitness2.jpeg)](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/collections/webinars/products/self-help-8-week-course-bundle) [![4 Keys to Unlocking the Power of Empathy](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hubfs/blog-files/blog-side-empathy2.jpeg)](https://heartmanity-services-products.myshopify.com/collections/webinars/products/real-empathy-real-solutions-self-coaching-workbook) ### Sign Up For Our Newsletter ![Heartmanity](https://blog.heartmanity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/heartmanity-logo-invert-web.png?width=260&name=heartmanity-logo-invert-web.png) 1104 East Main Street, Suite 4 Bozeman, MT 59715 Copyright © 2009-2025 Heartmanity, LLC. All Rights Reserved. [Sitemap](https://heartmanity.com/sitemap/) | [Privacy Policy](https://info.heartmanity.com/privacy-policy) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=140462683223049&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jennifer A. Williams / Heartmanity for Business", "url" : "https://blog.heartmanity.com/author/jennifer-a-williams-heartmanity-for-business" } ], "dateModified" : "2025-03-13T21:59:41", "datePublished" : "2025-03-12T13:45:00", "headline" : "How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent and Authentic Leader", "image" : [ "https://info.heartmanity.com/hubfs/Application-developers-at-work.-626999150_2294x1311.jpeg" ] } ```