The theme of this week's podcast is 'Creating Authentic Connections'. Authenticity is a topic that comes up regularly and Andy Lopata invited this week's guest to look at different perspectives on the meaning of authenticity. Roxanne Derhodge is a certified psychotherapist and Forbes Business Council member. Her most recent book is 'Return on Relationships'. Roxanne believes that authenticity results from first understanding yourself and feeling good with who you are inside. Andy and Roxanne talk about the signs of authenticity, the professional and personal personas which leaders have to balance to connect with their teams. Leaders owning up to mistakes, knowing the different needs of their team, helps others to perform. Roxanne outlines her five elements of authentic heart leadership. Authenticity can seem obvious but it starts with understanding yourself and it can be learned, but you need to be willing to make the effort.