The working world is tough right now. As leaders, you’re told to focus on your people, but every day you’re also buried in numbers, reports, and growth targets. The good news? Authenticity is the one strategy that lets you do both. It strengthens teams and grows business at the same time.

Here’s the truth: most employees don’t actually hate their jobs — they hate the junk. The jargon, the bureaucracy, the endless “let’s circle back” or “let’s pivot” conversations. Meanwhile, companies are stuck using the same playbooks: buzzwordy sales pitches, long PowerPoint decks, fancy fonts that sound smart but leave customers uninspired.

That’s where authenticity comes in. Authenticity isn’t about bringing your whole messy self to work — what I call fauxthenticity. Real authenticity is revealing who you are, when people least expect it, and doing it in service of others.

When someone is authentic, people feel instantly connected. They relax. They stop trying to be perfect. And the data backs it up: in companies with high authenticity, trust is six times higher. If you’re authentic, your people trust you every day of the week — not just occasionally.

But authenticity isn’t just about being, it’s about doing. That’s why I created the Six Principles of Strategic Authenticity Framework, a set of tangible actions leaders can take immediately to use authenticity as their competitive advantage. Because when you show up real, you stand out, you become magnetic, and you create environments where people thrive.

I wasn’t supposed to be here, by the way. My first career as an actuary was a disaster. But I went on to become CEO of a nine-figure company, tripled earnings, and boosted engagement by 15%. Since then, I’ve written two bestselling books, delivered a Top 20 TEDx talk, and co-host a globally ranked podcast, Because Work Doesn’t Have to Suck.

Authenticity isn’t rainbows and unicorns. It’s a strategy — one that will change your leadership, your culture, and your results.

A few years ago, while co-chairing my company’s Women’s Leadership group, we were debating the usual conference topics: sponsorship, executive presence, networking. And all I could think was—why are we still talking about the same things we’ve been talking about for 30 years?

Yes, gender inequality exists. When there are more CEOs named Dave than female CEOs, that’s a problem. But here’s the truth: we’re trying to fix it the wrong way.

Fast forward to a Friday afternoon—I’m coasting into the weekend when my boss calls. “I’m leaving the company. Can I recommend you as the next COO?” And my first reaction? No, thank you. Why? Because of what I call the compromise calculation: X = career, Y = everything else. I feared bigger roles would mean sacrificing family, health, even myself.

But later, I realized the real issue: women aren’t just being held down—we’re often opting down. Harvard research backs this up. Women believe they can reach high-level roles, but they expect negative trade-offs if they do. And yet, if gender parity were achieved, McKinsey estimates the global economy would gain $12 trillion by 2025.

So what’s the solution? Not more superwoman conferences or endless diversity training. What we need is a modern career playbook. And at the heart of it is authenticity.

Authenticity doesn’t mean “bringing your whole messy self to work.” That’s fauxthenticity. True authenticity is exposing who you are—strategically—when people least expect it, in service of others. It’s what builds connection, trust, and intrigue.

When I finally took that COO role, I faced a make-or-break negotiation. I confessed to my counterpart, “Our financials are struggling, and I need this deal to prove I can be the next CEO.” Instead of weakness, that honesty created trust. Months later, the deal succeeded—largely because he wanted to see me win. That’s when I realized authenticity could be my secret weapon.

And it worked: I became CEO, led a team of 1,000, tripled earnings, boosted engagement, and stayed true to myself.

So here’s my challenge: throw away the crusty old playbook. Stop playing buzzword bingo on LinkedIn. Change your out-of-office message to sound human. Bring your kids into your work. Because authenticity isn’t just about being—it’s about doing. And when you start doing it, it’s contagious.

Authenticity changes careers. It changes companies. It can change humanity.

This video introduces the concept of “unpacking your orange suitcase,” a metaphor for releasing past burdens and rediscovering personal freedom. The speaker shares personal experiences, insights, and motivational lessons designed to help audiences recognize what they carry emotionally and how to move forward with clarity. Themes include resilience, overcoming challenges, and embracing new opportunities. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own “suitcases” and take intentional steps toward positive change.

In this showcase session, Erin Hatzikostas, former corporate CEO, bestselling author, and founder of b Authentic Inc — delivers a compelling talk on the power of authenticity in today’s workplaces. Known as a “professional pot stirrer,” Erin shares lessons from her career leading a nine-figure company to rapid growth, and how stepping away from the corporate ladder allowed her to focus on dismantling the “BS” that often stifles organizations.

Drawing from her book You Do You, her TED Talk with more than 400,000 views, and her company’s groundbreaking national study on authenticity, Erin presents authenticity not as a feel-good buzzword but as a proven driver of ROI and organizational success. She illustrates how being unapologetically real fosters trust, boosts engagement, and ultimately leads to stronger business outcomes.

Her talk encourages leaders and teams alike to question old paradigms, embrace vulnerability, and create cultures where people can show up as their true selves. With humor, research-backed insights, and relatable storytelling, Erin positions authenticity as both a personal strategy and a professional imperative.