🎯 The Authenticity Trap: Why Being "Real" Isn't Enough Anymore

Employee engagement just hit its lowest point since COVID, dropping from 23% to 21% globally according to Gallup's latest data. While most leaders scramble for quick fixes, the real issue might be closer to home than we think.

We've been sold on "authentic leadership" as the cure-all for workplace disengagement. But here's the uncomfortable truth: authenticity without congruence is just performance art.

Your team doesn't trust what you say. They trust what you consistently show. It's the difference between a leader who talks about work-life balance while sending emails at midnight, and one whose actions mirror their words every single day.

True leadership congruence means:

🔷 Your values show up in your decisions, not just your presentations. When budget cuts come, do you protect what you claim matters most?

🔷 Your emotional state matches your message. You can't inspire calm confidence while visibly stressed, or preach collaboration while making unilateral decisions.

🔷 Your daily habits reflect your leadership philosophy. The small, seemingly invisible choices reveal who you really are as a leader.

In an era where recent surveys show nearly half of employees admit to crying at work and engagement continues to plummet, people are desperate for leaders they can genuinely trust—not just like.

The question isn't whether you're being authentic. It's whether you're being congruent .

What's one area where you've noticed a gap between your leadership message and your daily actions?

Mike's insights: mike-horne.com

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