Beyond the Boardroom: Holistic Leadership Success for American Women

Holistic Leadership: Breaking Free from the Mold

In the fast-paced world of American business, many mid-career women leaders face intense pressure as they climb the ladder to “fit the mold,” often sidelining their authentic selves in the pursuit of professional success. Yet when we show up as our full, holistic selves, we create a workplace culture defined by trust, purpose, and sustained performance.

Drawing on contemporary leadership research, let’s explore how embracing holistic leadership can transform not just careers but lives.

The Challenge: Beyond Assimilation

According to a recent McKinsey & Company report on Women in the Workplace, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in industries traditionally dominated by men. Only one in four C-suite leaders is a woman, and the representation drops even further for women of color.

Rather than simply expressing our personality, authentic leadership is about staying true to your core professional principles and channeling that alignment into a clear visino for effective leadership.

Harvard Business Review echoes this gap, highlighting a phenomena where women who do break through often feel caught between competing pressures: the pressure to conform and the desire to lead authentically. This tension can lead to stress, burnout, and a sense of isolation.

Why This Matters

Personal Well-Being: It’s easy to lose yourself when you’re constantly trying to fit into a certain mold. Suppressing your natural instincts and voice can chip away at your self-esteem and even lead to health issues over time.

Company Culture: When leaders show up with authenticity and a clear sense of purpose, it sets the stage for a more trusting, engaged, and creative team environment. People feel safe to share their ideas and collaborate more openly.

Long-Term Impact: By bringing their full, authentic selves to leadership roles, women encourage a new wave of diverse leaders. It’s not just about representation—it’s about inspiring the next generation and building a culture that thrives on genuine inclusion.

Real-World Insight: “Andrea,” a senior finance executive, spent years feeling she had to compartmentalize her personality—keeping things strictly neutral and hyper-focused on team goals. While her hard-driving approach did get results, it also led to chronic exhaustion and a growing sense of disconnection. Eventually, after we worked together on resetting her leadership style to align with her authentic self, she began holding open check-ins, sharing her challenges candidly, and fostering collaborative problem-solving. The impact was immediate: morale soared, turnover dropped, and Andrea rediscovered the joy of leading. Her story shows that embracing an authentic leadership style isn’t just beneficial for the bottom line—it’s also vital for personal well-being and creating a workplace where everyone can truly thrive.

Defining Authentic Leadership

Authentic leadership isn’t just about being transparent; it’s about aligning your actions with your professional values, strengths, and identity—so that you can lead without feeling the need to hide or modify who you truly are.

Harvard Business Review explains that when leaders—and their teams—can bring their authentic selves to work, they do so with freedom from the pressure to “cover” their identity. This means that authentic leadership is built on several key pillars:

Alignment with Core Values and Character Strengths Authentic leaders know what they stand for and leverage their natural strengths, like empathy, resilience, or creativity. By acting in alignment with these values, they eliminate the need to mask or alter their personality just to meet external expectations.

Comfort in Personal Expression According to HBR, authenticity means feeling free to express your genuine thoughts and emotions. When you lead authentically, you encourage open dialogue and create a space where your team can also share ideas and feelings without fear of judgment.

Psychological Safety and Reduced Need for “Covering” A central element of HBR’s perspective is creating a work environment where individuals feel safe enough to be themselves. Authentic leaders foster psychological safety—making it clear that there’s no need to hide aspects of your personality or background. This openness not only improves communication but also boosts overall engagement and innovation.
Purpose-Driven Action At the heart of authentic leadership is a clear “why”—a guiding purpose that informs every decision and action. When you connect your daily work to this larger mission, you build trust and inspire your team to align their efforts with a shared vision.

Rather than simply expressing our personality, authentic leadership is about staying true to your core professional principles and channeling that alignment into a clear vision for effective leadership.

By centering your leadership approach on these guiding principles, you not only lead with integrity—you also build a workplace environment where others feel empowered to contribute their authentic selves.

Holistic Leadership in Action

Holistic leadership goes beyond the boardroom—it integrates your values, personal aspirations, and professional goals into a unified approach. Here are three core areas to focus on:

Embrace Vulnerability and Resilience

Brené Brown’s research shows that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. By sharing challenges openly, you model resilience and encourage your team to do the same.

Step-by-Step:
1. Reflect on a recent setback. How did it shape you, and what lessons can you share with your team?
2. Schedule a brief conversation with a trusted colleague to discuss these lessons, inviting them to do the same.

Lead with Purpose

Simon Sinek’s concept of starting with “Why” underscores the power of clarity in purpose. As a woman in leadership, identifying your core values can help you navigate tough decisions with confidence.

Step-by-Step:
1. Use our Purpose-Quest Guide as a tool to clarify your vision for meaning and impact.
2. Align these your purpose with organizational objectives wherever you can, to remain connected to a bigger “why” at work.

Foster Collaborative Environments

According to Adam Grant, “giving” cultures—where people support and champion each other’s successes—often lead to higher overall performance. For women, this can counterbalance feelings of isolation in male-dominated spaces.

Step-by-Step:
1. Organize a weekly “win-share” where team members highlight each other’s contributions.
2. Volunteer to mentor or coach a junior woman professional, creating a ripple effect of support and community.

These are only a few examples of how you can integrate your values and stronger meaning into what you do, while maintaining your balance and integrity.

From the Head to the Heart: The Importance of Data and Empathy

While hard data from McKinsey or HBR can substantiate the need for more women in top leadership roles, it’s the real stories—our lived experiences—that resonate on a deeper level. In fact, research by Harvard Business Review found that when employees feel they can bring their authentic selves to work, they’re significantly less likely to leave their organization within the next year.

. . . when employees feel they can bring their authentic selves to work, they’re significantly less likely to leave their organization within the next year.

Blending the head (data) with the heart (empathy) creates a compelling leadership narrative that invites transformation. This combination empowers you to:

Stand on Credibility: Demonstrate that women’s leadership is more than representation, but a strategic imperative for any forward-thinking organization.

Build Genuine Connection: Let your authenticity serve as a bridge between you and your team, forging trust and loyalty.

Invitation to Share & Next Steps

Join the Conversation: Have you navigated leadership challenges in a male-dominated environment? Share your experiences or insights in the comments, on social media, or through direct contact. Your story might be the spark another woman needs to rise.
Purpose-Driven Work Guide: Download the free (and simple) guide to identify and refine your purpose. This guided exercise will help you articulate your leadership “why” and map out purposeful career goals.
Get Involved in The Reset Program: Looking for a deeper, structured approach to recalibrate your leadership journey? Our Reset Program is designed to help women leaders clarify their purpose, build resilient mindsets, and cultivate thriving teams. Enroll now to claim your spot in the next cohort and transform your leadership trajectory!

Ready to lead on your own terms? Share your story, download the worksheet, and explore The Reset Program to jump-start a new phase of authentic, purpose-driven leadership. Let’s shape a future where women not only belong in leadership roles but truly thrive in them—mind, body, and soul.

Linda coaches high-achieving women, drawing from 20+ years of leadership—including confidential executive advising and Chief of Staff roles. As a PCC, she empowers women to move beyond self-doubt, cultivating leadership presence and sustainable rhythms for fulfillment. Discover how to lead on your terms. Connect with Linda on LinkedIn or visit The Soul Spot for more insights.