“Show up in a way your mother would be proud of.”
– Stacey Gordon
In today’s fast-paced, data-driven workplace, leadership needs to evolve. And according to Stacey Gordon of Rework Work, global speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and inclusive leadership expert, that evolution begins with authenticity.
During our Authentic Leadership Webinar, Stacey cut through the jargon and offered a bold, human-centred blueprint for leading with purpose, equity, and impact.
The Three Pillars of Authentic Leadership
For Stacey, authenticity is not vague or abstract. It’s built on three core pillars:
- Curiosity – “Do you really know your colleagues/ team? How they collaborate? What their strengths are?”
Curiosity fuels connection. It transforms assumptions into understanding and turns teams into communities. - Self-Awareness – Stacey reminds us this doesn’t come “magically.” It’s developed through reflection, coaching, and feedback. When we know how we show up, we can show up better.
- Integrity – Consistency builds trust. If your team knows what to expect from you, and sees that you do what you say, you lay the foundation for psychological safety.
This directly aligns with The Serlin Method®, which sees self-awareness, alignment, and vocal integrity as foundational to genuine leadership presence.
Listening as a Leadership Superpower
“Leaders no longer need to know it all. They need to learn it all.”
In a world where teams are often closer to the frontlines than leadership, Stacey argued that listening is not optional, it’s strategic.
She shared a powerful data-gathering model used in her work:
- Use surveys with open-ended questions
- Conduct 1:1 interviews
- Involve people in nominating interviewees to build layers of buy-in
Once the data is in, communicate the rationale behind decisions.
“We’re doing A first because 63% of you prioritised it.”
That transparency builds trust, and momentum.
Culture Check-Ins: “What’s Your Weather?”
One of Stacey’s standout techniques? The personal weather report.
Start your meetings with:
“What’s your weather today?”
This playful but profound question quickly reveals how people are feeling – giving leaders the insight to respond with empathy, and the chance to address stress before it becomes a storm.
The Cost of Ignoring Authenticity
Stacey didn’t shy away from the business case:
- Turnover is costly.
People “vote with their feet” when leadership feels disconnected. - AI is coming – but culture is catching up.
There’s a significant gap between leadership’s expectations and what teams actually receive in training and support. - Leadership is behavioural, not positional.
If you’re inconsistent, avoidant, or closed off, your people will disengage – no matter your title.
Stacey’s Advice for New & Aspiring Leaders
Her advice was simple, actionable, and deeply empowering:
- In a new role? Ask your team what’s working and what they’d change. Show up without preconceived fixes. Even a virtual coffee can build trust.
- Trying to influence upwards? Ask your manager about their goals. Align your work to support them. If there’s no alignment, work on establishing it.
- Want to be seen as a leader? Don’t just complete tasks – contribute ideas. That’s how leadership begins.
Final Thought
Stacey Gordon’s vision is clear: authentic leadership is inclusive leadership. It’s not about charisma or control. It’s about showing up with curiosity, consistency, and care, even when that’s hard.
At LSW, we’re proud to support leaders on this journey. Whether you’re navigating hybrid teams, building trust, or growing into leadership for the first time, our communication programmes help you connect with impact and integrity.
Explore our Communication Courses for Companies or Book a Discovery Call.
Want to connect with Stacey and learn more about her work at Rework Work?
Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn here
Learn more about Rework Work here
Take a LinkedIn Learning course here
Read her leadership newsletter here
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