August Professional Development Program
Register Tell a Friend About This EventTell a Friend
August Professional Development Program

The Authenticity Gap: Why Leaders Fail and How to Break the Cycle. Join us as leadership expert Dr. Gary Johnson explores this disconnect, which he calls The Authenticity Gap™—the distance between how leaders see themselves and how others actually experience them.

 Export to Your Calendar 8/12/2026
When: 08/12/2026
7:30am-9:30am
Where: MMA
9171 Towne Centre Drive
Suite 100
San Diego, California  92122
United States
Contact: Sabrina DiMarzio
info@sdshrm.org


Online registration is available until: 8/10/2026
« Go to Upcoming Event List  

The Authenticity Gap™: Why Leaders Fail and How to Break the Cycle

Why do so many leaders believe they are effective while employees experience something entirely different?

Research consistently shows that most leaders view themselves as self-aware, trustworthy, and authentic. Yet employees often report low levels of trust in leadership, poor communication, limited transparency, and a lack of genuine connection. This disconnect creates what leadership expert Dr. Gary Johnson calls The Authenticity Gap™—the distance between how leaders see themselves and how others experience them.

Drawing on doctoral research, real-world leadership experience, and decades spent coaching executives and developing leaders, Dr. Johnson reveals why even well-intentioned leaders struggle to build trust and gain commitment from their teams. Through powerful stories, practical examples, and evidence-based insights, readers will learn how leadership effectiveness is shaped not by intentions but by consistent behaviors that inspire trust, credibility, and connection.

Built around the four pillars of authentic leadership—self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and an internalized moral perspective—The Authenticity Gap provides a practical roadmap for identifying blind spots, understanding the impact of leadership behavior, and closing the gap between intent and impact.

Whether you are a CEO, executive, manager, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this workshop will challenge you to look in the mirror, seek honest feedback, and become the leader your team needs you to be.

Because leadership is not measured by what you intend to do.

It is measured by what others experience.

 

Pricing
Students: $10
Members: $35
Nonmembers: $55

Walk-ins are welcome, but please note that rates increase at the door to $65/person; regardless if a member or not. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
On-Site Registration Pricing
$65

  

 

Sponsored by:

 

    
   

 
 

Code of Conduct

SD SHRM is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and professional environment for everyone who attends our events. By registering, you agree to engage with fellow attendees in a manner that reflects courtesy, professionalism, and mutual respect.

We ask all participants to contribute to a positive experience by avoiding behavior that could make others uncomfortable or detract from the purpose of the event, including inappropriate advances, disruptive conduct, excessive alcohol consumption, or overly aggressive sales activity. Our goal is to ensure that SD SHRM events remain inclusive, engaging, and enjoyable spaces for learning, connection, and professional growth.

 

San Diego Society of Human Resource Management, Chapter 130
325 W. Washington Street #2355  |  San Diego, CA 92103  
(858) 988-SHRM (7476) • info@sdshrm.org