Finding My Authentic Leadership Voice: Reflections on the MIT EMBA Journey

By Linda Ow, EMBA '25

The MIT Executive MBA entered my life at what I now recognize was the perfect inflection point—a moment when I had accumulated enough professional experience to bring depth to my reflections yet still have substantial career runway ahead to implement meaningful change. This career vantage point created a unique opportunity to integrate years of hard-earned wisdom with fresh perspectives that have fundamentally transformed my approach to leadership. 

Clarity Through Authenticity 

For those considering a similar path at comparable career junctures, I can now share with confidence: the true value of this experience extends far beyond the technical rigor, prestigious credentials, and powerful network. The MIT EMBA creates a structured environment that challenges the leadership narratives we have internalized over decades of professional life. It provides the space—and perhaps, more importantly, the courage—to lead not as we think we should, but as who we authentically are. 

This shift toward authentic leadership wasn't initially on my list of expected outcomes when I enrolled. Yet it has proven to be the most profound and far-reaching benefit of the entire experience.  

One of the most unexpected rewards of embracing my authentic leadership style has been the remarkable clarity it brings to decision-making. When I stopped expending precious mental energy maintaining a carefully constructed leadership persona, I discovered bandwidth I didn't know I possessed. Complex problems that once appeared overwhelming now seem more navigable because I'm approaching them as my complete self rather than through the filter of who I thought I needed to be. 

I am particularly thankful to Professor Deborah Ancona, whose insightful guidance on leadership growth helped me navigate the complex terrain between established self and my leadership signature. Her mentorship created a safe space for exploration that proved invaluable to my development. 

This newfound clarity extends beyond professional decisions to a deeper understanding of my purpose and values. By removing the noise of performative leadership, I can hear my own instincts more clearly and trust the wisdom I've accumulated throughout my career. My team has benefited as well. They now receive more coherent direction because my communication comes from a place of integrated authenticity rather than compartmentalized thinking. 

Integration of Professional Capability and Full Humanity 

The MIT EMBA experience has revealed a powerful truth: my "best self" was never about projecting perfection or unrelenting strength. Instead, it emerges in the integration of professional capabilities with my full humanity, including my doubts, the insights gained from past failures, and the unique perspectives shaped by my complete life experience. 

I've discovered that when I lead from this place of wholeness, I naturally inspire others to bring their authentic selves forward, too. The energy once dedicated to maintaining professional armor is now redirected toward innovation, meaningful connection, and creating environments where team members feel safe to contribute their genuine brilliance. 

The Unwritten Credential 

As I reflect on my MIT EMBA journey, I recognize that the most valuable credential I've earned isn't listed on my resume. It's the permission I've finally given myself to lead with both strength and vulnerability—a powerful combination that has unlocked new dimensions in my career and renewed purpose in my leadership journey. 

I also carry with me the wisdom of late Dean David Schmittlein, whose words during my first week at MIT became the guidepost that oriented my entire experience: "measuring success through the personal growth we achieve throughout the program." This perspective transformed how I engaged with challenges, viewed setbacks, and celebrated victories throughout the EMBA. By shifting my focus from external validation to internal development, Dean Schmittlein's philosophy helped me extract meaning and growth from every aspect of the program—even the most difficult moments. For this enduring gift of perspective, I remain profoundly grateful. 

For mid-career professionals considering similar programs, I offer this insight: The MIT EMBA creates the conditions for a profound leadership transformation. But the real work is in embracing the courage to lead not as an idealized version of yourself, but as the integrated, authentic leader you are beneath the layers of professional adaptation. In that authentic leadership lies a surprising source of power that no credential alone can provide. 

Linda Ow is Vice President, Total Rewards at CrowdStrike and a member of the MIT EMBA Class of 2025.