What does genuine and authentic leadership sound like?

Phil D'Adamo
Aug 26
2 min read

This week, I watched a young Australian sports captain deliver an unexpected lesson in leadership (link below).

Jordan Dawson, captain of the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League, was speaking after receiving the Best Captain and Most Courageous Player award.

But it wasn't his sporting achievements that caught my attention.

It was what he said in his speech about mental health.

He talked about creating safe spaces for people, acknowledging that there will be times when it's hard to come to work, and being comfortable with not having all the answers:

“The mental health space is something new to me, but something I want to learn more about.”

Then he said something even more powerful:

“I want everyone to know who is struggling with their mental health that you are definitely loved and that the world is a better place with you in it. You are enough.”

That, to me, is leadership.

Not because he had the answers.

Not because he positioned himself as an expert.

But because he understood the influence he had and used it to create safety, acknowledge vulnerability and remind people with mental health challenges that they matter.

It also got me thinking about what we sometimes expect from leaders.

We often look for certainty.

Confidence.

Expertise.

Answers.

But perhaps some of the most powerful leadership moments come when leaders are willing to say:

I don't have all the answers.

I'm willing to learn.

And I'm here for you.

Leadership isn't simply about what we know or what we achieve.

It is about the impact we have on people.

And sometimes, the most important thing a leader can do is use their voice to make it safer for others to use theirs.