Leading With Authenticity

Joanne Lockwood speaks with leadership coach Dr Shelley Jones-Holt about what it really means to lead with authenticity, and why “being yourself” isn’t a free pass to be careless with impact. Shelley argues that authentic leadership starts with honesty, transparency, and the courage to ask clarifying questions instead of making assumptions—especially in moments of discomfort or difference.

They explore how authenticity is shaped long before work, including childhood conditioning and the habits people learn to survive in rigid systems. Shelley shares a metaphor of “leaving the plantation” to describe exiting restrictive workplace and education norms, and how that shift can require relearning who you are once the rules and hierarchy no longer define your behaviour.

The conversation also examines equity as a leadership value—getting people what they need, when they need it, in the way they need it delivered—and how that requires leaders to adapt their communication style without becoming inauthentic. Along the way, they discuss psychological safety, masking, and the “mental gymnastics” minoritised people perform under stereotypes and microaggressions.

Shelley unpacks what microaggressions are, how they arise from stereotypes and unchecked implicit bias, and why they can be so damaging even when framed as compliments. The episode closes with a practical call for leaders to know their people, use storytelling to build connection, and lead with courage by admitting what they know—and what they still need to learn.