29 October 2025

Authentic Leadership Secrets: How Vulnerability Beats Ego and Drives Real Change t - Jennifer Jensen

Transforming Lives Panel Podcast

About

### 👩‍💼 Meet the Guest

**Jennifer Jensen**

- Leadership advisor who helps emerging leaders become authentic, effective, and resilient.

- Author of *Developing Authentic Leaders* (uncommon‑common‑sense framework).

- Uses tools such as **Lumina Spark** for self‑awareness and team dynamics.

- Coach for individuals, teams, and whole organizations (both in‑person and remote).

**Contact & Resources**

- 🌐 Website: **www.authenticleader.ca**

- 📧 Email: **info@authenticleader.ca**

- 📚 Book: *Developing Authentic Leaders* – available on Amazon, Indigo & Barnes & Noble.

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### 🗂️ What We Covered

| Segment | Core Topics & Key Takeaways |

|--------|-----------------------------|

| **Opening & Grounding** | Guided breathing exercise to help listeners become present before the deep dive. |

| **Uncommon‑Common‑Sense Framework** | • Recognize *why* you react the way you do. • Pause, reflect, then decide on a new response. • “Timeout” technique: *“Can we have a timeout right now? I need to regroup.”* |

| **Vulnerability vs. Manipulation** | • Vulnerability = humility & willingness to be held accountable. • Manipulation = using emotions (crying, guilt‑trips) to get your way. • Real vulnerability builds trust and encourages honest feedback. |

| **Leadership Styles & Coaching** | • Easiest to coach: leaders open to growth (not the “know‑it‑all” egoic type). • Most challenging: authoritarian, inflexible leaders. • Servant leadership isn’t “overrated”; it can be highly coachable when combined with strong self‑awareness. |

| **De‑Escalating Heated Situations** | • Step back, breathe, and *walk away* until calm. • Junior staff can request a timeout politely but firmly. |

| **Building Trust Quickly** | 1️⃣ Self‑awareness 2️⃣ Empathy 3️⃣ Compassion |

| **Culture Change & Team Morale** | • Use Lumina assessments for both leader & team. • Identify “how each person likes to be communicated with.” • Small habit changes (meeting formats, open‑door policies) yield fast improvements. |

| **Handling Burnout & Micromanagement** | • First non‑negotiable: protect psychological safety. • If toxicity persists → “stay or go” decision. |

| **Hybrid vs. Remote Work** | • Hybrid model offers best balance of productivity & relationship building. • Keep cameras on to read body language and sustain engagement. • Create intentional social rituals (virtual happy hours, small gifts). |

| **AI & Generational Dynamics** | • AI is a rapid‑change factor; leaders must adapt faster. • Reverse mentorship (young → senior on tech, senior → young on strategy) fuels loyalty and innovation. |

| **Rapid‑Fire Round** | • *Leadership myth to disappear*: “Vulnerability is weakness.” • *One word clients use to describe Jennifer*: **Passionate**. • *Most underrated skill*: **Empathy**. • *Go‑to tool on a bad day*: Find “joy moments” + a simple thank‑you. • *Introvert or extrovert*: **Introvert** (and still an excellent leader). • *Morning non‑negotiable*: Walk first thing after waking. |

| **Final Advice** | “Authentic leaders don’t promise flawless guidance; they show the courage to be themselves.” |

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### 📌 Key Quotes to Remember

- “*When you’re vulnerable, you’re actually showing humility and that you can make mistakes.*” – Jennifer Jensen

- “*If you don’t believe you make mistakes, you’ve already made the biggest mistake.*” – Jennifer Jensen

- “*Self‑awareness, empathy, and compassion are the three fastest ways to build trust.*” – Jennifer Jensen

- “*The most powerful thing an authentic leader offers is not flawless guidance, but the genuine courage to show up as themselves.*” – Jennifer Jensen

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### 📚 Resources Mentioned

| Resource | How to Access |

|----------|----------------|

| **Lumina Spark assessments** | Through Jennifer’s coaching programs (details on authenticleader.ca) |

| **Developing Authentic Leaders (book)** | Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble (links on website) |

| **Reverse mentorship programs** | Look for case studies from Fortune 500 firms (search “reverse mentorship AI leadership”). |

| **Remote‑team engagement ideas** | Virtual happy‑hour guides, gift‑box kits, camera‑on meeting etiquette. |

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### ✅ Take‑Action Checklist

1. **Pause & Reflect** – When a conflict spikes, request a brief timeout before reacting.

2. **Self‑Assess** – Complete a Lumina or similar self‑awareness tool and share results with your team.

3. **Show Vulnerability** – Admit a recent mistake, ask for input, and model accountability.

4. **Build Trust** – Practice daily empathy: ask a team member how they’re doing and listen fully.

5. **Hybrid Rituals** – Schedule regular in‑person “hallway” catch‑ups or virtual coffee chats with cameras on.

6. **Reverse Mentor** – Pair a junior employee with a senior leader for a tech‑skill exchange session.

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Host: Sharmin Prince

Transformational Coach, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Trainer, Content Creator.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharminVanPrince

https://www.facebook.com/eaglessoarN413805Y

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088212

X: https://twitter.com/SharminPrince

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharminprince/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eagles-empowered-to-soar-inc-eets

Website: https://www.sharminprince.utobo.com

https://www.sharminprince.com

https:www.eaglessoar.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eagles_soar_inc/

https://www.instagram.com/sharmin_vp/

Host: Mitzy Dadoun

Travel, Insurance, Seniors, Teens, Spirituality, Manifestation, Gratitude, Business, Real Estate, author of 6 books

https://linktr.ee/mitzydadoun

http://www.wealthcreationconcepts.com/

http://www.smartseniorsrealty.com/

https://mddigital.biz/

https://mdsocialsavvy.com/home

https://mitzydadoun.wearelegalshield.ca/

https://www.loveitreviews.com/

https://lovemyclients.info/

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*Disclaimer:*

- The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast.