Podcast Summary: Build with Leila Hormozi
Episode: Stop Trying To Lead Like Someone Else. Be Yourself. | Ep 264
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Host: Leila Hormozi

Introduction

In Episode 264 of "Build with Leila Hormozi," titled "Stop Trying To Lead Like Someone Else. Be Yourself," Leila delves into a pervasive issue she observes among business leaders and entrepreneurs: the tendency to alter one's authentic self in pursuit of business growth and leadership effectiveness. Drawing from her personal experiences and insights gained from scaling businesses to over $100 million and managing a billion-dollar portfolio at Acquisition.com, Leila emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership over adopting a façade to fit conventional leadership molds.

Key Points

1. Authenticity vs. Imitation in Leadership

   • Leaders often feel compelled to transform their personalities—altering their voice, demeanor, and even wardrobe—to emulate successful figures they admire.
   • This imitation can lead to inauthentic leadership, which undermines team trust and loyalty.

2. Skill Development Over Identity Change

   • Instead of changing who they are, leaders should focus on enhancing their skill sets.
   • Key skills include better judgment, conflict management, coaching abilities, and handling complexity.

3. Impact of Inauthentic Leadership

   • Pretending to be someone else can make leaders seem unrelatable and robotic.
   • Teams are less likely to trust and follow leaders who don't show their true selves.

4. Personal Transformation and Team Dynamics

   • Leila shares her journey from behaving like a "robot" under pressure to embracing her authentic self.
   • This shift not only improved her well-being but also enhanced team loyalty and productivity.

5. Encouraging Team Authenticity

   • Leaders set the tone for their teams. Authentic leadership encourages team members to be themselves, fostering a more dynamic and innovative workplace.

Main Discussions

The Pressure to Conform

Leila begins by addressing the common misconception that advancing in leadership roles requires a complete personality overhaul. She recounts her struggle during her early entrepreneurial days, where she felt pressured to mimic successful leaders who were markedly different from her authentic self. This internal conflict led her to suppress her natural demeanor, resulting in increased stress and diminished team loyalty.

Shifting Focus to Skill Building

Leila emphasizes that ascension in leadership is not about becoming a different person but about acquiring the necessary skills to handle increased responsibilities. She highlights that evolving as a leader involves expanding one's toolkit—developing better decision-making abilities, learning to manage conflicts effectively, and enhancing coaching techniques.

Real-Life Example: Empowering an Introverted Leader

A pivotal moment in the episode is when Leila discusses her interaction with a quieter, introverted team member who felt inadequate for a leadership role. Instead of pushing him to emulate a more extroverted colleague, she encouraged him to leverage his unique strengths and focus on skill development. This approach not only empowered him but also reinforced the value of authentic leadership within her organization.

Personal Revelation and Its Impact

Leila shares a personal revelation from six and a half years ago when she recognized that acting inauthentically was detrimental to both her and her company. By embracing her true self—complete with quirks and flaws—she was able to build a more genuine and loyal team. This authenticity eliminated the stress of maintaining a façade and allowed her to focus on effective leadership.

Key Insights

• Authentic Leadership Fosters Trust: Being genuine in leadership builds a foundation of trust and loyalty among team members, which is crucial for long-term success.

• Skill Acquisition is Fundamental: Leaders should prioritize developing skills pertinent to their roles rather than altering their personalities to fit perceived leadership archetypes.

• Team Diversity Enhances Performance: Encouraging team members to be their authentic selves leads to a more diverse and dynamic workforce, driving innovation and productivity.

• Personal Well-being is Linked to Leadership Style: Authentic leadership not only benefits the team but also enhances the leader's own well-being and job satisfaction.

Notable Quotes

• On Identity vs. Skill Development (05:30):
  "It's not your personality that needs to change. It's your toolkit. You just need new skills." – Leila Hormozi

• On Authenticity and Team Trust (12:45):
  "When you show up being a fake version of yourself… you don't know where you stand with them. If you're the person on the other side, you don't necessarily, because of that, trust them." – Leila Hormozi

• On Personal Transformation (25:10):
  "If I want to do this for the rest of my life, I can't try to act like somebody else. Because a lot of times… we have to show up as ourselves and just acquire new skills." – Leila Hormozi

• On Team Dynamics Post-Authenticity (40:20):
  "The team I have now, everyone is so different. They are so unique, they're so authentic… I get so much more of the good." – Leila Hormozi

Conclusion

In this compelling episode, Leila Hormozi dismantles the myth that effective leadership necessitates becoming an entirely different person. Instead, she advocates for a leadership model rooted in authenticity combined with continuous skill development. By sharing personal anecdotes and practical advice, Leila underscores that the most impactful leaders are those who remain true to themselves while equipping themselves with the tools necessary to guide their teams successfully. This philosophy not only enhances individual well-being but also cultivates a loyal, motivated, and high-performing team.

Takeaway:
Embrace your authentic self in leadership roles and focus on developing the essential skills that enhance your ability to lead effectively. Authenticity builds trust and loyalty, fostering a productive and harmonious workplace.