I am sure you have been told, "Communication is Key!" At the start of a new year, there’s pressure to communicate certainty, confidence, and momentum.

So 2026 is here and I sure you are asking "How do I start strong?" I had to take a moment as the calendar flipped. For most of us, this should be a time of reflection.

That was the day I began to understand what authentic leadership is about. Leadership is not about control or titles; it's about influence and relationships. It's not about being the smartest person in the room or having all the solutions. It's about service, trust, and creating an environment where others can thrive.

Well, what does being authentic mean? There are many definitions, but I found the Vocabulary.Com one to be really good, i.e. "Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real".

What does it mean to be an authentic leader?