How I Stopped Being Embarrassed of My Funny-Ass Authentic Self (as a CEO too)
Embrace your authentic self in leadership!
Check how our AI Editor at Olympia, Calvin, helped me create this newsletter. Hire Calvin as a part of AI team to streamline your operations!I was embarrassed.
People often call me funny. I couldn’t understand why until the pandemic hit. One day, after six months of restless work on an online conference for digital professionals (before it was mainstream) and interviewing 28 speakers on marketing, business, and the digital nomad lifestyle, I couldn’t get out of bed.
My body shut down, and fear took over. After the summit’s launch, I realized I couldn’t continue treating myself like that. So I reached out to friends who invited me to work as a host at their kitesurfing camp in Northern Portugal, where the Nortada wind made it a perfect spot for water sports. Shortly after my March 2020 arrival—on my birthday, no less—the pandemic was declared globally (what a gift!). Suddenly, I had no work, but I was fortunate enough to call the camp villa home for half a year.
Instead of reveling in nature and making guests’ stays exciting, I was forced back online. I tried writing (having spent most of my adult life in content) but couldn’t manage a single word—there was still no AI to lend a hand. Burnt out and scared, like so many of us, I stumbled upon an app called LiveMe. There, creators hosted live sessions to earn money through virtual gifts from their audience. It helped me survive those dark months.
That’s when I saw myself on camera and realized how hilarious I truly was. It wasn’t a flaw—it was my authentic self shining through. That moment became the start of my following on LiveMe.
Now I host The First-Time CEO podcast. Interviewing modern leaders makes me feel like I should be serious. Yet, I can’t help it: my face always seems to break into a comic expression—even when discussing weighty topics. See it for yourself:
I decided I no longer wanted to be embarrassed by who I was. I choose to be my authentic self, embracing my quirks and using my humor as a strength rather than a weakness.
The Power of Authentic Leadership
Embracing who you are isn’t just a personal victory—it’s a leadership superpower. Authentic leadership means showing up as your genuine self, with all your quirks, vulnerabilities, and passions. For first-time CEOs, authenticity is more than a style; it’s a strategic asset. When you lead from the heart, you break down barriers between you and your team. Instead of wearing an armor of perfection, you reveal your learning process, growth, and even your mistakes. This openness builds trust, creates connection, sparks innovation, and fosters resilience, transforming every challenge into a collective opportunity.
I’ve experienced this transformation—from my LiveMe days to my current approach. Clients resonate with my Olympia demos because they see a real, empathetic, and yes—funny—leader who isn’t afraid to be who they are.
How to Be an Authentic CEO
To help you put authenticity into practice, here are some actionable tactics:
Cultivate Self-Awareness: Regularly reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and core values. Journaling, seeking mentorship, and honest self-assessment can help illuminate what makes your leadership unique.
Embrace Vulnerability: Show your true self—even the imperfect parts. Sharing your challenges and mistakes humanizes your leadership and opens the door for honest dialogue.
Lead with Transparency: Communicate openly about your vision, challenges, and decision-making process. This transparency builds trust and inspires your team to mirror that openness.
Prioritize Ethical Decision-Making: Ground your actions in your most deeply held values. When you consistently make ethical choices, you set a reliable and respected standard for your team.
Ensure Consistency: Align your words with your actions. Consistency reinforces your credibility and reassures your team that your commitments are genuine.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Create safe spaces for your team to share ideas and voice concerns. Embrace feedback actively—this is the foundation of innovation.
Invest in Continuous Learning: Commit to ongoing learning through reading, workshops, or engaging with thought leaders. Growth is an everyday process that keeps your leadership fresh and adaptive.
Practice Humility: Recognize that you don’t have all the answers. Embracing others’ insights and contributions enhances your leadership effectiveness.
Celebrate Your Quirks: Your unique traits—like my funny expressions—set you apart. Embrace these quirks as strengths that define your authentic leadership.
Foster Inclusivity: Value diverse perspectives by creating an environment where every voice is heard. This inclusivity builds a collaborative and innovative team culture.
Connecting Authentic Leadership with Real Stories
In The First-Time CEO's recent podcast episode with Julia Arpag, we delved into the essence of authentic leadership. Julia, the founder and first-time CEO of Aligned Recruitment, shared her raw and inspiring journey. One of her comments that really resonated was:
"My father-in-law was so gracious, and he was saying to me, 'The reason you've been so successful is not because you picked recruitment as an industry. It is because of who you are.'"
Her words underline that true leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about being real. Authenticity humanizes leaders and builds a magnetic community where every perceived flaw transforms into a meaningful connection.
In our conversation, along with her journey from being laid off five weeks postpartum to scaling Aligned Recruitment to $750K in revenue within 15 months, we explored:
How LinkedIn can be leveraged for business growth, personal branding, and client acquisition.
The role of AI in recruitment—knowing where it helps and where the human touch remains essential.
Strategies for balancing work, family, and self-care as a founder and foster parent.
The importance of shifting mindsets, building resilience, and nurturing warm leads as a first-time CEO.
Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and share your thoughts in the comments.
Embracing Your Authentic Self in Leadership
Reflecting on my journey from feeling embarrassed to fully owning my authentic self, I’ve learned that true leadership flows from being unapologetically yourself. When you lead with authenticity, every interaction becomes an opportunity to foster trust, drive innovation, and build a community that values realness over pretense.
I invite you to join my free live demo webinar, where I’ll introduce you to Olympia AI teams and show you how our AI assistants can streamline operations and propel business growth—even if you’re just starting as a CEO. Together, let’s build a future where leadership is as authentic as it is impactful.
For more authentic content like this and first-time CEO insights follow me on Linkedin and Instagram, and The First-Time CEO podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
If you’d like to be my podcast guest, please fill in this form, and I’ll get in touch should it be a good fit!