Elaine Chung
Most leadership advice gets it backwards. We’re told to “be authentic” and bring our whole selves to work. A decade of building teams taught me something different: impactful leaders don’t just “be themselves”—they align who they are to lead with clarity, courage, and connection.
I help leaders build teams that work like kids do: curious, fast, and fearless. Children collaborate naturally, ask questions without shame, and recover quickly from failure. My work brings those traits back—strategically and intentionally.
I’m the author of The Illusion of Authenticity, a leadership strategist and keynote speaker blending organizational behavior research, neuroscience of play, and executive experience. I’ve partnered with Nike, Sony, PBS, and the U.S. Navy’s NavalX.
TEDxAsheville | SHRM | DisruptHR | ATD
Duke University | USC Marshall MBA
📚 The Illusion of Authenticity — Amazon & Barnes & Noble