Being authentic as a leader often means showing vulnerability. But sharing personal struggles doesn’t always make you seem more genuine. What matters is whether your disclosure reveals something about your choices and character. Here’s how to decide what to share with your team.

Consider whether your actions harmed anyone. Sharing an unconventional decision can signal authenticity, but admitting to behavior that benefited you at someone else’s expense can undermine trust. Think carefully about what your story reveals about your judgment. 

Share choices—not just negative experiences. Personal misfortunes can elicit sympathy, but deliberate decisions reveal more about who you are. Consider sharing a time you chose to challenge convention, even at a personal cost.

Establish credibility first. Unconventional choices are more likely to be received positively when you’ve already demonstrated competence. Build a strong track record before sharing stories about breaking the rules.

Distinguish authenticity from transparency. Disclosing information you’re obligated to share demonstrates transparency. Voluntarily revealing an unconventional choice can signal authenticity because you had no obvious reason to share it.

Adapted from Research: When Being Authentic Undermines Your Leadership by Krishna Savani, et al.

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