Naomi Osaka Epitomizes Bold Authentic Leadership
When Naomi Osaka was thrust back into the national spotlight, what stood out for me is her incredible authenticity. Many Americans know Osaka from her recent withdrawal from the French Open or from her dramatic 2018 US Open final win against Serena Williams. I am a long time tennis enthusiast (some say a fanatic) and over the past 4-5 years, I’ve watched Naomi rise from an unknown to the top of the tennis world. I’ve also witnessed the incredible impact of her soft-spoken, humble, and often playful presence. Time and time again she has thoughtfully and honestly shared her truth: from her joy, to her discomfort and insecurities, and most recently her mental health, with remarkable candor.
Naomi appears to be a highly sensitive person, she is heart centered and “feels” more than others. Many of us remember the incredibly beautiful moment when Naomi broke with convention and protocol, crossing the net to comfort the teenage Coco Gauff, after their 2019 US Open match. In that moment, she chose to follow her heart, giving Coco a big hug and inviting her to stay on court for the post match press conference clip. The result of her authenticity was inspiring.
Most of us know highly sensitive people. They tend to be very empathetic and caring. They are often more easily affected, emotionally, than others. When something affects them, it is rare that they can simply brush it off or push past it. They may have to be careful to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Many sensitive people, including athletes, build up walls of protection. For example, Serena Williams typically hides her injuries and problems from the media. She has stated that she just needs to “woman up” when faced with adversity. In our society, creating protective armor and hiding our feelings is the norm.
Naomi has taken a different route. She is refreshingly authentic and vulnerable. At press conferences she attempts to answer every question truthfully and thoughtfully, even when the questions are invasive or inappropriate. Over the years, this candor has captivated the tennis world. Her level of vulnerability is a unique quality for someone constantly in the spotlight. She’s made a few public missteps, sometimes drawing heavy criticism, yet she still doesn’t armor up as others do. It appears that she always says (and does) what is authentically true, for her, in the present moment. I can’t remember ever seeing her pretend to be anything but herself. This courage that she displays in her vulnerability is impressive.
When Naomi posted that she wouldn’t participate in press conferences, I don’t believe it was intended to be a major protest statement. Instead, I think, as she became aware of her building anxiety, she was looking for a way to care for herself. At some point she probably realized how emotionally “heavy” the media obligation felt to her. My experience watching tennis press conferences is that reporters can ask almost anything, appropriate or not, often with no filters, especially of female athletes. Osaka probably sensed a real possibility that in her emotional state, she could be triggered or traumatized. Valuing herself and her mental health, she decided that it was not worth it. Recognizing that the issue impacted more than herself, she boldly and vulnerably took a stand for herself and for others. I don’t think that she imagined how it might play out. She was just being authentic.
When the situation escalated, Naomi was left with no viable choice but to withdraw from the tournament. Any other choice would likely have led to much more anxiety, inevitably affecting her ability to play. For example, if she backed down and agreed to do a press conference after her next match, she would have undoubtedly been bombarded with questions about why she had skipped the first conference. Some say she should have shown up and simply refused to answer questions. Yet, this seems to contradict who Naomi is, at her core. Pretending and copying others’ behavior is not a choice I’ve seen her make. This inauthenticity likely would still have affected her emotionally. With all of the media attention, there probably was no option that would deescalate her anxiety. In the end, she gracefully wrote a bold and authentic statement, vulnerably sharing what she was feeling.
Naomi’s bold authenticity is in sharp contrast to how most of us behave. Typically, we choose what is expected or socially acceptable, even when it goes against what we feel in our hearts, or what we would choose if we could not fail. Essentially, we let the fear of making a mistake or being judged as wrong, guide our actions. By contrast, Naomi vulnerably chooses to be herself, at all times. She has fears like the rest of us; she is scrutinized to an extent most of us can only imagine; yet, she bravely remains true to herself, no matter what it costs her.
About Authenticity
There is a lot we can learn about authentic leadership from this courageous 23 year old. I believe that authenticity is our most underutilized superpower. When the tennis establishment came down hard on Naomi, she chose authenticity over self-protection or compliance. She vulnerably and unapologetically stated her truth: after experiencing bouts of depression, mental health and self care comes first for her, from now on. By choosing bold authenticity in this difficult situation, Naomi did what was best for her and it has been well received.
I believe choosing authenticity can be our strongest long-term defense against judgment and blame. It is likely that when this plays itself out, Naomi will end up in a much better place than if she had remained silent. She will likely have more freedom to prioritize her self care without risking punishment. Additionally, this one bold authentic act has started global conversations about mental health, the role of media in sport, and sexism and racism in the media. In time, we may see that her authenticity changes the world.
So if authenticity is so powerful, why aren’t we authentic all of the time?
We are so conditioned to fit in and self-protect, it can take a lot of courage to say and do what is authentically true for us. Our society has many conventions and rules that suppress authentic behavior. Being authentic involves vulnerability, letting go of control, and risking uncertainty. Unfortunately, much like in Osaka's situation, some authentic actions are not embraced immediately. When we are vulnerably authentic we aren't always protected against painful repercussions in the short term. Hence, it often feels "safer" to do what is expected of us, even when a part of us seems to die inside as we do so. Over time, many of us compromise so much that we start to lose touch with who we really are.
For many of us, living authentically may seem easier said than done. Authentic people, like Naomi Osaka, learn to trust that, in the long term, authenticity always wins out. Learning to live authentically is a journey with ups and downs, yet I believe it is worth the effort. As Naomi bravely navigates her journey, she shows us that each bold authentic act is another step on her path, which brings a little more freedom and peace.
The benefits of authentic living are numerous. As leaders, many of us strive to inspire and create meaningful results. Naomi is inspiring and emboldening people around the world by simply being her authentic self and speaking her truth. It is likely her actions will have a far-reaching and long- lasting impact. Authentic living also fosters an abundant lifestyle of happiness, freedom and inner peace. Most of us know people who are unapologetically authentic. They live life on their own terms. They often have magnetic personalities, frequently exuding a powerful and joyful radiance. After witnessing their energy, a part of us may crave more authenticity in our own lives.
The next time you find yourself at a crossroads, I invite you to pause and listen intuitively for your truth in the present moment. Instead of defaulting to convention, consider following what you know, in your heart, is right for you. Being authentic is one of the biggest gifts you can give to yourself and to those around you. In addition to bringing the radiance, peace, and freedom of being your authentic self, when you live from a place of authenticity it empowers others to be vulnerable and their authentic selves.