Authenticity in Leadership: Why the 3 Cs Still Matter

Authenticity in leadership is one of those words we hear everywhere… but living it, especially in environments shaped by inequality and long-standing organisational habits, is a very different thing.

Over the years; whether in classrooms, leadership meetings, or during my TEDx talk; I’ve come back to one truth again and again: authentic leadership requires deep presence. And presence isn’t something you can teach through policies or scripts. It shows up through how we lead, how we listen, and how we respond when things get difficult.

In my TEDx talk, I explored something that still feels just as urgent today:Good leadership is built on Commitment, Courage, and Care.Three simple words - but they ask a lot of us.

1. Commitment

Commitment asks us to show up fully. To stand by the values we say we believe in - even when it feels uncomfortable. In anti-racist and inclusive leadership, this often means staying the course long after the initial energy fades, especially when the work becomes complex or exposes gaps in our systems.

2. Courage

Courage is the willingness to have the harder conversations, to question what has “always been done,” and to step into the unknown without a perfect plan. It’s about choosing growth over comfort, both personally and organisationally.

3. Care

Care is the heart of it all.It’s the thing that can quietly disappear in leadership spaces when the pressure to deliver, measure, and improve takes over. But without care, we lose trust. We lose connection. We lose people.

And when we’re talking about anti-racism, care becomes non-negotiable.Care is what helps us slow down enough to recognise harm, repair it, and build environments where people feel seen rather than managed.

Authenticity Isn’t a Performance

Authentic leadership isn’t about perfection - it’s about alignment.Alignment between what you say, what you mean, and how your actions land on the people you lead. Leaders who practise authenticity don’t pretend to have all the answers.They don’t hide behind strategy when what’s needed is humanity. They lead with the 3 Cs - and that’s what makes the difference.

If you're curious about how the 3 Cs might show up in your context, or you’re trying to understand where your leadership strengths and gaps I offer a free 15-minute leadership check-in.

It’s simply a space to reflect, ask questions, and get honest about what’s working and what needs attention.