LEADERSHIP ARTICLE
The Journey to Authentic Leadership: Embracing Uniqueness and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
MAY 15, 2025
Author
Kate Liu-Bevan
In the world of demanding leadership, it’s easy to forget that personal development begins with an inward journey.
I recently had the privilege of working with a group of directors from a leading accounting firm who were striving for Partnership. The challenge was that, in different ways, they were all grappling with their own self-imposed limitations - defined by their backgrounds, accents, appearances and perceived "flaws."
It was a rewarding journey to help them unpack their barriers to progression and to help them establish a path based upon self-discovery.
“The single greatest way to influence people is to be yourself. Too many leaders try to be something they’re not.”
- Patrick Lencion
1 The South Asian Accent: Embracing One's Voice
My first client, from South Asia, expressed concern about her accent, fearing it would make her appear less competent compared to her British colleagues. She worried that her accent would create biases that undermined her abilities. As we explored this further, it became clear that her belief wasn’t based on her actual capabilities, but on external perceptions she had internalized over time. We worked together to shift her mindset, emphasizing that her accent was part of who she was and should be embraced, not hidden.
2 The Working-Class Background: Redefining Worth
Another client was a man from the south of the UK, from a working-class background. He expressed concern that his background created perceptions about his capability. He had spent years believing this put him at a disadvantage. As we delved into his fears, it became clear that his experiences had actually shaped him into a resilient, empathetic and hard-working leader. His background wasn’t a weakness at all – it was an asset. By re-framing his story, he began to see that leadership wasn’t about pedigree or privilege, but about how one uses ones’ experiences to drive success and to inspire others. He embraced his roots, with a perspective that others lacked.
3 The Tall Former Rower: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
My third client was with a 6’3” former rower from a top-ranked university, who, despite his outward success, struggled with imposter syndrome. He shared that, from a young age, in his mind, he had been expected to live up to an unachievable standard. Now, as a leader himself, he feared that any mistake would expose him as an imposter. As we unpacked his perfectionist mindset, it was clear that part of his fear of failure was rooted in an unrealistic standard of perfection. We worked together to understand that authentic leadership is not about perfection, but about embracing vulnerability and learning from mistakes. Letting go of this perfectionist mindset allowed him to step into his role with greater confidence and compassion.
Embracing Uniqueness and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
What I learned from these coaching clients was profound; leadership is not about fitting in, it is about embracing your uniqueness and using it to deliver your own form of leadership.
These directors were all on a journey of self-discovery, overcoming limiting beliefs, that had held them back. By the end of our work together, they had not only grown professionally but had developed authentic leadership styles that reflected their true selves.
This authenticity isn’t just conceptual; it became integral to their business ethos, their communication style and their ability to build relationships. By leaning into their distinctive personality, they created real impact in their leadership roles. Ultimately they unlocked, not just the door to Partnership, but alighted on a path to being a truly authentic leader.
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