How to Lead Authentically in a New Culture
Amy Kilpatrick, Chief Marketing Officer at ActiveCampaign shares the three shifts that made the difference.
Hi friend!
Think back to the last time you joined a new company. Chances are, you remember the strong desire to fit into the culture. Sometimes, that desire is so powerful that it leads us to compromise how we lead—we hold back from what is most aligned with our values and who we are.
To speak to this tension, I am excited to introduce Amy Kilpatrick, Chief Marketing Officer at ActiveCampaign who is sharing the insights and tips that helped her lead authentically in a new culture.
Thank you, Amy, for contributing!
Let’s dive in.
— Amanda
The pull to fit in and the need to be yourself is a conflict we all face. When I stepped into a new CMO role, I joined a culture that felt completely different from what I’d known. The team was well-established, fully remote, spread across time zones, and the timing couldn’t have been more intense. Markets were spiraling post-pandemic, recession fears were mounting, and stress levels were high.
My goal was to establish myself as a trusted, credible voice within the leadership team and build mutual respect with my colleagues. But as you know, stepping into any new culture is a challenge. You’re tasked with integrating the organization’s needs and priorities while staying true to your own leadership style.
Through this experience, I learned what it really means to lead authentically in a new culture.
Here are the three shifts that helped me become a more authentic leader and communicator.
Take a holistic approach
The status quo tells us to keep emotions out of leadership, focusing solely on hitting targets and solving issues. But authentic leadership requires recognizing the feelings, motivations, and dynamics within a team.
To lead authentically, you have to get comfortable with the emotions that arise, both in yourself and in others, during interactions. Ignoring them denies a fundamental part of reality, which can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for genuine connection.
Integrating emotions is essential for building trust. By acknowledging them openly, you create empathy and connection, helping your team feel seen and valued.
💡Integration Tip: Before going into a meeting or communicating, practice Think, Feel, Do.
Think: What do you want your audience to understand or believe?
Feel: How do you want your audience to feel?
Do: What specific actions do you want your audience to take?
Embrace this holistic approach to pave the way for deeper connections.
Focus on what you can control
It’s natural to try to control everything in challenging situations, especially when stress is high. But a key part of authentic leadership is learning to ground yourself by focusing on what you can influence, rather than allowing yourself to spiral over what you can’t change. This focus helps you stay present, effective, and true to yourself.
For example, when my team faced required changes, I felt responsible and deeply affected. While I couldn’t prevent these shifts, I realized I could take control of how we communicated about them. By focusing on clear messaging, I did my best to positively impact the process, supporting my team through a difficult time.
💡Integration Tip: When you find yourself stressed, try this reality check exercise:
Separate fact from story: Write down what you know to be true about the situation (facts), and then list any assumptions, fears, or “stories” you might be adding. This helps you distinguish reality from interpretation.
Identify what’s within your control: Look back at the facts. Ask yourself, “What actions can I take based on these facts alone?” This keeps your focus on what you can influence, allowing you to make a meaningful impact without getting lost in speculation.
Staying grounded in what’s within your control allows you to lead more authentically, creating stability for both yourself and your team.
Let go of the pursuit of perfection
Perfectionism often pulls you away from authenticity, creating pressure to over-prepare and avoid mistakes at all costs, and even fall into the “hero” role—feeling responsible for solving everything. Striving for perfection can lead to unnecessary stress and make it difficult to connect naturally with others.
When I used to spend excessive time preparing, it only added to my anxiety, making me feel less comfortable in the moment. Once I let go of the need to be flawless and began trusting my ability to handle situations as they came, I felt more confident and at ease. Embracing imperfection allowed me to show up authentically, without the heavy burden of trying to get everything exactly right.
💡Integration Tip: When you feel the pressure to perform mounting, ask yourself these two questions:
What is most important?
What am I optimizing for?
Trust your instincts and abilities—they’re often all you need to connect meaningfully and lead effectively.
Final note
If you’re feeling the conflict between the need to fit in and the need to be yourself, try leaning into authenticity to ease that tension.
The most impactful leaders aren’t those who simply fit in—they’re the ones who bring their full selves to the table, creating a space of trust and stability, even in a challenging environment.
— Amy K.
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