Ditching the Highlight Reel: The Real, Messy, and Brilliant Side of Leadership

I have a confession: Before presenting From Highlight Reels to Real Leadership at the CHART 107 Louisville conference, I had a classic case of imposter syndrome. You know the drill—convincing myself I needed to be extra polished, ultra-prepared, and somehow transform into the leadership version of Beyoncé (spoiler: I did not). But as I stood in front of a room full of hospitality leaders, ready to talk about Success Theater and the pressure to look like we have it all together, I realized something… this topic wasn’t just relevant—it was real.

We dove into the world of Success Theater, those perfectly curated career moments that make everyone else seem like they have it all figured out while you’re over here just trying to find the unmute button on Zoom. We talked about how this fuels imposter syndrome, why it’s so easy to fall into the trap of performing instead of leading, and how embracing authenticity is the real game-changer.

The best part? We got real about the messy, unglamorous, behind-the-scenes work that makes great leadership happen. (Yes, the spreadsheets, sticky notes, and last-minute chaos before a big launch—turns out, that’s the magic.) We laughed, we cringed at our own highlight reels, and we rewrote them to reflect the real stories behind our success. Turns out, the most powerful leadership moments aren’t in the polished presentations—they’re in the stumbles, pivots, and vulnerable conversations that build trust and connection.

At the end of the session, the energy in the room was joyful. People were sharing their “boring brilliance” moments, embracing the freedom of leading as their actual selves, and (hopefully) feeling a little less pressure to put on a show. Because let’s be honest—nobody needs another highlight reel. We need more real, messy, and brilliantly imperfect leaders.

To everyone who joined the session: Thank you for showing up, for sharing, and for being the kind of leader who values authenticity over perfection. And for those who missed it—don’t worry, I’m still figuring it all out, too.

So, what’s the big takeaway? Leadership isn’t about having the most polished resume, the most impressive highlight reel, or making every meeting feel like a TED Talk. It’s about showing up as your real, wonderfully imperfect self, embracing the messy moments, and leading with honesty (and probably a lot of caffeine).

If you ever find yourself caught in Success Theater, remember this: No one actually has it all figured out. Not even the ones who look like they do. So, let’s trade the filtered versions of leadership for real conversations, celebrate the brilliance in the boring, and own the unpolished moments that truly make us better leaders.

Now, go forth and be your gloriously imperfect self—your team (and your sanity) will thank you.

What CHART Members are Saying About Angelina’s Presentation

“Angelina’s presentation, Leading with the Real, Messy, and Brilliant You, was a refreshing and inspiring take on what it really means to lead. She did an amazing job of reminding us that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being perfect. That it’s really all about showing up as your real, imperfect, and authentic self.

One of the best parts of Angelina’s talk was how relatable and engaging she was. She shared personal stories, real struggles, and practical advice that made it easy to connect with her message. Instead of just talking about leadership in theory, she showed us how being authentic builds trust, strengthens communication, and makes us better leaders. Her points on vulnerability and self-awareness really hit home, especially in a world where leaders often feel pressured to always have it together.

She also gave some great takeaways, like (seemingly) simple reflection exercises and communication tips that we can actually use in our daily environments. It wasn’t just inspiring, it was actionable. If anything, I would’ve loved to hear even more real-world examples of leaders applying these ideas, but overall, the session was packed with value.

If you ever get the chance to hear Angelina speak, don’t miss it. Her energy, vulnerability and insights made this a fantastic session that left me feeling motivated and ready to lead with more authenticity and confidence.”

Shanlee Kasson, EVP of Operations Integrations
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