Authentic leadership and neuroscience

Cheryl J. Travers

Chapter 7 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Neuroscience and Management, 2026, pp 25-28 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Authentic leadership, with key characteristics of integrity, self-awareness, and ethical behaviour, has been allied to increased employee well-being, trust, and organisational success. Neuroscience shares evidence of the neural basis of authenticity, highlighting the roles played by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), default mode network (DMN), and precuneus in self-referential processing and alignment with true values. Behaving authentically lessens stress, lowers cortisol, and activates the brain's reward system via dopamine release in the ventral striatum. Furthermore, neural mechanisms assist recognition of authenticity in others, strengthening social connection and trust. Findings reveal that authenticity is biologically supported, nurturing effective and ethical leadership.

Keywords: Authentic leadership; Neuroscience; Self-awareness; Medial prefrontal cortex; Reward system; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332885
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