Armour Off Leadership
Mentor Spotlight - Stephanie Wright
Why showing up without your protective layer can be the greatest form of leadership
In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, there’s a profound shift happening in leadership. Leaders are beginning to shed the traditional, stoic persona and are embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy as essential qualities for success. In this interview with seasoned VMSA Mentor and business advisor Stephanie Wright, we dive into her journey. Stephanie shares how shedding the armour, aligning your values, and showing up as your authentic self can transform your leadership style and create stronger, more effective teams.
Why We Need to Talk About Leadership and Empathy
Leadership has historically been about control, authority, and a hardened exterior. But as Stephanie explains, “There’s a transition happening right now where leaders want to show up with more authenticity than ever before.”
Introducing Stephanie
Stephanie’s Story: Shedding the Armour
Stephanie’s leadership journey began in the oil and gas industry, where she quickly ascended the corporate ladder. But with her rise came the pressure to conform to an image of leadership that didn’t fit her.
“I didn’t look the part, I was a young woman surrounded by older men as a VP in oil and gas,” Stephanie reflects. “I often felt like I didn’t belong, and I didn’t really have any Mentors that understood.”
Stephanie’s leadership journey was marked by many early successes, but success also drives challenging situations, often including those that can forever change perspective on leadership and life.
While working in the oil and gas sector, Stephanie often faced pressure to lead in ways that did not align with her values. At the time, many companies were more concerned about the bottom line than doing the right thing. In one particular incident, saving money came at the expense of human safety.
“Those decisions continue to affect me to this day,” Stephanie shared. “I felt pressured to prioritize making money over human life, knowing full well that the consequences could be fatal.”
For many others this was just business as usual, but for Stephanie she found herself beginning to show up differently.
“After one particularly tragic incident, I showed emotion in the boardroom, something I never allowed myself to do.”
In the aftermath of that incident, Stephanie was met with a harsh conversation from her higher-ups.
“The next day, my leader sat me down and told me that I wasn’t cut out for business—that I didn’t have what it took to be a leader.”
Stephanie left that conversation angry and upset, and with shattered confidence. “I was being told that my empathy made me weak, that I wasn’t leadership material because I cared.” It was then that she knew she had to make a change, not just for herself, but for the way leadership was perceived.
“I knew I didn’t want to keep showing up in a coat of armour, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. I decided it was time to create an authentic path forward. That event pushed me to live and lead in alignment with my true values.”
The Power of Authentic Leadership
Instead of trying to conform to the expectations placed on her of leadership, this experience was a wake up call for Stephanie. After leaving that corporate role, Stephanie focused on taking the entrepreneurial route, one that allowed her to ensure she could surround herself with like-minded individuals. The experience of losing her confidence in leadership, also presented the opportunity to embrace her authentic self and empower others to do the same.
“I realized you can show up as a deep empath and still be a great leader. In fact, I believe it can be your superpower.”
Stephanie leaned into empathy as a superpower, especially when navigating tough situations like corporate insolvency.
“I was part of the C-suite during a company’s insolvency, and I had to find a new way to motivate people. Leading with empathy worked—98% of the staff kept their jobs, and a new company was born. It proved to me that if I could do it, anyone could.”
How to Show Up with Empathy as a Leader
So, what does empathy look like in action?
Stephanie’s approach is simple: meet people where they are.
“As advisors and Mentors, we need to teach leaders to hone in on their internal strengths and own them. In order to build leaders who are going to be resilient through the startup rollercoaster, we need to develop authentic leaders ”
One of the core tenets of Stephanie’s approach is recognizing that emotions are part of leadership. “Whether someone leads with or without emotion doesn’t change their ability to run a business. We need to stop viewing emotional leaders as less capable.”
Building Trust Through Vulnerability
Stephanie’s authenticity extends beyond her own leadership—it's integral to how she coaches and advises others.
“I build trust by being transparent about my own scars and wounds. So many first-time founders have never heard someone talk openly about failure.”
This openness breaks down the walls of imposter syndrome and helps emerging leaders understand that failure is part of the journey. “When leaders feel empowered to show vulnerability, they build trust within their teams. That’s how real connections—and real growth—happen.”
Empowering Leaders with Authenticity
As Stephanie notes, authenticity isn’t just about showing emotion—it’s about aligning your actions with your values. Here are her top three pieces of advice for entrepreneurs:
1. Identify Your Values
“Sit down and write out both your personal and business values. Stop reading articles about what leadership should be and focus on what matters to you. When you make decisions based on your values, you’ll always feel aligned.”
2. Surround Yourself with Empowering People
“Create a Mentor or advisory group that will both elevate and ground you. Values alignment with your board, investors, and Mentors is key.”
3. Get Comfortable with Discomfort
“Growth happens when you're uncomfortable. Leaders need to evaluate their biases and question whether they’re holding onto outdated ideas about leadership.”
Looking for Support on Your Leadership Journey?
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to lead with authenticity and shed your armour, VMSA can help. Our mentorship program supports founders in embracing empathy, building trust, and navigating the evolving landscape of leadership while scaling their business.
Reach out to learn more about how VMSA can support your leadership journey.
