Scenarios that cause women to question whether they are
living authentically include: when reconnecting with goals and
dreams; when faced with a major life event; when a changing
situation places values and behaviors in conflict; and when
trying to fit in a male-dominated organizational environment
(Ruderman and Ohlott, 2005). The last circumstance is a constant
challenge facing women in leadership roles and thus a constant
source of tension in striving for authenticity. Organizations
often reward individual achievements which results in women
feeling less than authentic because their leadership styles and
behaviors tend toward the collaborative and relational which are
undervalued (Eagly et al., 1995).