Unlocking the Power of Authentic Leadership: A Conversation with Eric Ebron — Thrive Global
“Authenticity isn’t about being perfect-it’s about being real. The moment you embrace who you truly are, you unlock the power to lead with confidence, integrity, and impact.” - Eric Ebron
Authentic leadership has become more than just a buzzword-it’s a necessity in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. Leaders who embrace their true selves foster stronger connections, build trust, and inspire those around them to do the same. But what does it truly mean to lead with authenticity, and how can leaders cultivate self-awareness, vulnerability, and consistency in their leadership approach? In this insightful conversation, leadership consultant and author Eric Ebron shares his expertise on what it takes to be an authentic leader, why self-awareness is the foundation of success, and how embracing feedback can elevate your leadership to new heights.
Eric, a Marine Corps veteran turned leadership strategist, has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations develop strong leadership foundations. Through his experiences in corporate leadership and consulting, he has learned that the most impactful leaders are not the ones who try to fit a mold but those who have the courage to be unapologetically themselves. In this interview, he breaks down the key strategies of authentic leadership and provides practical, actionable advice for those looking to elevate their leadership skills in 2025 and beyond.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Absolutely, Stacey, and thank you for having me. My journey into leadership and consulting has been shaped by years of experience in both the corporate world and the military. I served in the Marine Corps for a decade, and that experience was foundational in shaping my discipline, resilience, and leadership style. When I transitioned into the corporate world, I worked as an operations leader in the aerospace industry. There, I had the opportunity to mentor, lead teams, and develop leadership strategies that helped organizations function more efficiently.
Over time, I realized that many people struggle with leadership-not because they lack talent or ability, but because they lack the guidance, tools, and confidence to lead effectively. I found myself naturally stepping into a mentoring role, and I realized that my passion wasn’t just in leading-it was in helping others become leaders. That’s what ultimately led me to become a leadership consultant and start my own firm, Eric Ebron Consulting. Today, my mission is to empower individuals and organizations by helping them build strong leadership foundations based on authenticity, self-awareness, and strategic growth.
Authenticity is such a powerful trait, but it’s something many people struggle with, especially in leadership. Why do you think being authentic is so important in today’s world?
Authenticity is everything. People want leaders who are real, who show up as their true selves, and who don’t pretend to be something they’re not. Gone are the days when leaders had to put on a facade of perfection and strength without vulnerability. People see right through that now, and they don’t connect with it.
Authenticity is what builds trust. If people don’t believe that you are genuine, they won’t follow you. And if they do follow you, it’ll be out of obligation, not because they truly believe in your leadership. When you embrace who you are-flaws, strengths, and all-you give others permission to do the same. That’s what creates strong, committed teams.
When I coach leaders, I always emphasize that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having the self-awareness to understand where you thrive and where you need to grow. When you’re honest about that, people respect you more, not less.
Self-awareness seems to be a crucial part of being authentic. How can leaders develop a stronger sense of self-awareness?
Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership. If you don’t truly know yourself-your values, your strengths, your blind spots-how can you expect others to trust your leadership?
There are many ways to develop self-awareness, and it’s different for everyone. Some leaders journal as a way to reflect on their thoughts and decisions. Others meditate to gain clarity. I once had a mentor, a high-level executive, who swore by journaling. He told me that writing down his thoughts helped him track his growth and understand his decision-making patterns.
For me, self-awareness comes through reflection and feedback. I take time to assess situations, think about what went well and what didn’t, and seek honest input from those around me. The more you understand yourself, the more you can align your leadership style with your values and the needs of your team.
Can you share an experience where self-awareness played a critical role in your leadership?
Absolutely. I remember a time when I was part of a team that was assembled to diagnose why a particular corporate initiative wasn’t succeeding. We spent hours analyzing the situation, and at the end of it, we realized that the failure stemmed from leadership itself. When we presented our findings, the senior leader in the room was visibly taken aback. He had expected us to find flaws in the process, not in leadership.
Some of my colleagues started backpedaling, afraid to stand by our conclusion, but I held my ground. I told him, “This is the reality we’ve uncovered, and as leaders, we have to address it.” It was an uncomfortable moment, but an important one. Instead of dismissing our feedback, he eventually accepted it, and we were able to move forward with a stronger strategy. That experience reinforced my belief that true leadership isn’t about being right all the time-it’s about being self-aware enough to recognize when change is needed.
Another topic that often comes up in leadership is vulnerability. Many people see it as a weakness, but you believe it’s actually a strength. Can you explain why?
For a long time, leaders were expected to project nothing but confidence and strength. Any sign of vulnerability was seen as weakness. But the truth is, people don’t connect with perfection-they connect with realness.
When leaders are vulnerable, they create an environment of trust. It shows that they are human, that they face challenges just like everyone else, and that they are willing to learn and grow.
I can share a personal example. Growing up, I had a stutter, and it was a huge insecurity for me. Imagine trying to build confidence as a leader while struggling with a fear of not being able to communicate effectively. For years, I tried to hide it. It wasn’t until I finally owned it-acknowledging it rather than trying to cover it up-that I truly started to build confidence in my leadership.
One of my professors in grad school told me, “Eric, stop seeing your stutter as a problem. Accept that it’s part of who you are, and find strategies to communicate effectively.” That shift in mindset was life-changing. Vulnerability isn’t about oversharing or looking weak; it’s about being honest and open in a way that strengthens connections and builds trust.
You’ve also spoken about the importance of aligning values with actions. Why is this so crucial in leadership?
It all comes down to credibility. People respect leaders who live by their values, not just talk about them. If you say integrity is important to you but you cut corners, people will notice. If you say you value collaboration but you don’t listen to your team, they’ll see right through it.
Leaders used to be able to keep their personal beliefs separate from their professional persona, but that’s no longer the case. Today, people want to work with leaders who stand for something. It doesn’t mean you have to be polarizing, but you do have to be consistent.
Leaders also have to be open to feedback, but that can be difficult. How can they embrace feedback without feeling defensive?
Feedback is one of the greatest tools for growth, but only if you’re willing to receive it openly. I had to learn this the hard way.
Early in my leadership career, I received feedback from my team that I tended to overreact under pressure. My initial reaction? “That’s ridiculous.” I even held a meeting where I sarcastically said, “Well, according to three of you, I overreact.” Not my proudest moment.
But over time, I realized that their feedback wasn’t meant to tear me down-it was an opportunity to improve. Once I embraced that, I became a better leader. Leaders need to create a culture where feedback is welcomed, not feared. The best leaders aren’t the ones who think they know everything-they’re the ones who are always learning.
As we head into 2025, what’s one key takeaway you want people to remember about leadership?
Be unapologetically you. The right people, the right opportunities, and the right growth will come when you lead with authenticity. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to be everything to everyone-just be real, be consistent, and be open to growth. That’s how true leadership is built.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can visit my website, ericebronconsulting.com, to learn more about my leadership consulting services, training programs, and upcoming projects. My book, Highway to Skyway Leadership, is also available online, and I share insights and strategies on my podcast. I’d love to connect with anyone looking to take their leadership journey to the next level!
Thank you so much, Eric, for sharing your wisdom and insights with us today. Your perspective on authentic leadership, self-awareness, and embracing feedback is truly inspiring. I know our readers will walk away with valuable lessons that they can apply in their own leadership journeys. It’s always a pleasure speaking with you, and I look forward to seeing all the great things you continue to accomplish.
Thank you, Stacey. I always enjoy our conversations, and I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with your audience. Looking forward to what 2025 has in store for all of us!
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Originally published at https://community.thriveglobal.com on February 4, 2025.
