At a recent thought leadership breakfast, a powerful conversation unfolded around what it means to lead authentically. From the moment we sat down, one theme resonated deeply: authentic leadership is not a performance – it’s a practice. It’s about genuinely caring for your people, leading with integrity, showing vulnerability, not pretending to have all the answers, owning your mistakes and aligning your actions with your values.
Among the ideas shared:
- It’s about genuinely caring for people
- Your team’s success, is your success
- Harness your purpose and passion to lead better
- Lead from the side (not just the front) to offer coaching and mentoring
- Maintaining ethics and morals (clearly lacking in the most recent Kiss Cam CEO debacle
- Having clear and transparent communication
It was a grounded and energising discussion – and one that couldn’t be more timely. Because just as the world watched a very public example of what happens when leadership breaks.
When leadership fails: The scandal
Astronomer, a $1.3 billion tech company, found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons when its CEO, Andy Byron, appeared on a stadium “Kiss Cam” at a Coldplay concert – wrapping his arms around Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer.
The issue? He’s married, and so is she – but not to each other. The video went viral in minutes. What followed was a reputational freefall: both leaders placed on leave, an internal investigation launched, and the company’s brand – once built on innovation and reliability – suddenly defined by scandal.
What makes this incident even more damaging is the fact that Kristin Cabot was the Head of HR. The person responsible for championing people, culture, inclusion and ethical leadership was herself implicated in a clear breach of those very principles. This isn’t just a lapse in judgement – it’s a direct reflection of a company culture that, consciously or not, allowed blurred boundaries and broken values to persist. Looking further into the company, it is clear that there is a gender imbalance in the leadership positions with Kristin being the only woman in the leadership of 9. Added to that, the entire board are men.
Now I’m not saying that an all male leadership team and board leads to infidelity – however, it’s worth considering.
Why authentic leadership matters now more than ever
Leadership affects your brand. Internally and externally. When those at the top fail to embody the values a brand claims to live by, it shakes the entire foundation.
In contrast, authentic leadership is about consistency – not perfection. It’s about showing up with empathy, being accountable, and creating an environment where trust, growth and wellbeing are prioritised. And it’s this kind of leadership that builds powerful brand cultures. Cultures where people want to stay, grow, and thrive.
Authentic leadership creates tangible brand advantages. Here is what companies like Astronomer can learn by having authentic leaders in place.
1. Staff retention through trust
People leave managers, not companies. When leaders genuinely care, communicate openly, and act with integrity, they create loyalty. Astronomer now faces the opposite – talent loss, distrust, and reputational damage.
Authentic leadership isn’t just a moral good; it’s a retention strategy.
2. Psychological safety
In a psychologically safe workplace, people speak up, take risks, and challenge ideas. But when the CEO and Head of HR are implicated in unethical conduct, that safety collapses. Employees question whether speaking out is truly welcome or wise.
Leaders who model transparency and accountability foster safety – and unlock massive potential and loyalty.
3. Support and mentorship, not favouritism
When leaders coach and mentor rather than control or favour, employees feel empowered. The opposite dynamic – power leveraged for personal relationships – damages morale and raises questions of fairness, especially when promotions, visibility, or opportunity are involved.
Authentic leadership levels the playing field.
4. Growth culture vs. toxic culture
In organisations where authenticity thrives, growth is shared. Leaders support personal development, celebrate wins, and turn mistakes into learning moments. But when personal indiscretions and not owning their mistakes define the culture, staff begin to fear missteps, disengage, or leave altogether.
A growth-focused culture is incompatible with a culture of secrecy or double standards.
5. Wellbeing at work
Workplace health – emotional, psychological and physical – is now non-negotiable. Authentic leaders prioritise this by fostering balance, addressing burnout, and checking in with their teams.
When leadership conduct undermines this commitment, the ripple effects on stress, disillusionment and cynicism are significant.
6. Becoming an employer of choice
People want to work for companies where leadership is principled, inclusive, and human. Astronomer’s story – now plastered across social media – severely compromises the brand. They will be forever known as the Kiss Cam Company. In contrast, businesses led authentically attract and retain exceptional talent because their values are lived, not laminated.
7. Brand reputation built on consistency
Ultimately, your external brand is a mirror of your internal culture. Astronomer’s narrative was hijacked not by a competitor, but by its own leadership. This is the price of inauthenticity.
Authentic leaders protect brand equity by behaving with integrity and in alignment with the brand’s values – always.
Leadership is always on
One of the sharpest takeaways from the Astronomer scandal is that in today’s hyper-connected world, there’s no such thing as “off-duty leadership.” Every action – public or private – has the potential to impact how your brand is perceived.
That’s not a burden. It’s an opportunity.
Because when leaders choose authenticity, consistency and care, they don’t just protect the brand – they build it. They cultivate cultures where people thrive, reputations grow, and trust becomes the most valuable brand asset of all.
Leadership isn’t about titles – it’s about trust. And right now, businesses have a choice. Lead with authenticity, or risk becoming tomorrow’s headline news. The difference is not just in what leaders say, but in what they do – when the lights are on and when they think no one’s watching.
Because these days someone is always watching.
