458 - Being Polished Doesn’t Make You Powerful. Being Real Does
Polish can make you look perfect. But authenticity makes you powerful. Learn why showing up as a real CEO builds deeper trust, stronger teams, and lasting influence.
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Being Polished Doesn’t Make You Powerful. Being Real Does
In today’s leadership landscape, many CEOs still fall into the trap of believing that a polished image equals professional respect. However, the truth is that perfection repels connection. Authenticity builds trust. And trust is the real currency of influence.
1. The CEO Illusion: Performance Over Presence.
Too often, CEOs present themselves as if they’re on a stage, always rehearsed, always pristine, always “on brand.” But leadership isn’t a keynote. It’s a conversation. When you try too hard to appear perfect, people stop seeing you. They see a projection. That weakens trust.
2. Realness Is the Strategic Advantage.
You’re not just a title. You’re a person. And the more you embrace that humanity, the more relatable, credible, and respected you become. Saying “I’m not sure” or “I’m in between” isn’t a weakness; it’s awareness. It signals you’re grounded in reality, not hiding behind an image.
3. Ditch the Script. Elevate the Connection.
Some CEOs even go so far as to build internal studios, only to deliver robotic, scripted speeches. The problem? The team doesn’t need another broadcast. They need a leader who speaks to them, not at them. Being unscripted doesn’t reduce your impact; it multiplies it.
Final Thought:
The best version of your leadership isn’t the most polished one.
It’s the most human one.
Because in the end, your legacy won’t be about how flawless you looked
It’ll be about how real you were.
Listen now and start building trust through authenticity.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction: Be Human
00:02 Authenticity in Leadership
00:23 The Importance of Being Genuine
Links:
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Equipment and Software that I use for my Videos and Podcasts!
Jens Equipment and Software overview: https://www.jensheitland.com/equipment
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Books that I read and recommend.
My Book Recommendations: https://www.jensheitland.com/books
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Speaking: https://www.jensheitland.com/speaking
Leadership Skills Assessment: https://www.wearesucceed.com/
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Subscribe and Listen to The Jens Heitland Show Podcast HERE:
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jens-heitland-show-human-innovation/id1545043872?uo=4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7H0GWMGVALyXnnmstYA1NL
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Subscribe and Listen to The Daily Hint with Jens Heitland Podcast HERE:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2tLdutVh6b6nCBgWQ817eQ
Web: https://www.jensheitland.com/the-daily-hint
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-hint-with-jens-heitland/id1722930497
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T02uYPvcOrajPC6FgH64r?si=8aab1e7683204160&nd=1&dlsi=0f69c72af017454a
Transcript:
Be human. Don't fake it. If you are a CEO of an organization, a lot of people look at you and I understand that, that you want to always give the best possible perspective of yourself to other people, but in the end, we as humans are human. If you say am in between, then you say am in between, because you will do this in a normal.
Physical setting as well. If you built a TV set in your organization just to showcase how you, how good you can read from a prompter, this doesn't show the human side of who you are as A CEO. You can do better by being yourself and showcasing yourself Truly.
