Two Authors Walk Into A Deadline And Try Not To Cry

A bestseller tag is nice, but the real story is everything it took to get there—and what we learned about authentic leadership by trying to write it down. We pulled back the curtain on our launch week for The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans and discovered that writing is less about perfect sentences and more about radical empathy for a reader who can’t talk back. Without a room to read, we had to anticipate confusion, trim complexity, and build a path that invites people to keep going.

We also double-clicked on our core belief: self-leadership comes before team, culture, and results. People often look to fix the external—bosses, processes, metrics—but transformation begins when you reclaim the energy lost to performing. As we threaded self-awareness, emotional literacy, and values clarity into a single arc, the through line became unmistakable: authenticity frees capacity, and that capacity is what makes collaboration, influence, and leadership sustainable. That clarity didn’t arrive quietly. Co-writing meant letting go when the words were right but not “ours,” rebuilding an “easy” chapter from scratch, and managing gremlins that insisted nothing was ready.

Beyond the page, we talk candidly about the logistics most authors underestimate: editing sprints, cover design, metadata, a 60-plus-page companion workbook, and the vulnerable act of promotion. We don’t chase rankings for ego’s sake; we play the platform game so the people who need this work can find it. From tech glitches to mailing list mishaps, we share the stumbles and the systems that ultimately worked. If you’re curious about how empathetic writing overlaps with modern leadership—or you’re facing a creative leap and want a field report from the edge—this one’s for you.

If the conversation resonates, grab the book, download the workbook, and leave a quick review to help others discover it. Subscribe for more real talk on authenticity, leadership, and the messy, meaningful work of being human at work.

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In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore close out their book series with guest Aaron Wilson to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity in an era shaped by group dynamics and artificial intelligence. They dive into the pitfalls leaders face when managing teams—like assuming everyone should behave the same or overlooking quieter voices—and offer practical ways to build trust, clarity, and psychological safety. Together, they unpack why “being kind” beats “being nice,” how collaboration agreements reduce assumptions, and why patience and consistency are the true cornerstones of trust.

As the conversation shifts to AI, Cristina and Alex share a hopeful, human-first perspective: while technology will automate tasks, it will amplify the need for empathy, critical thinking, and connection. AI may draft the deck, but humans decide what matters and how to move forward together. This thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly grounded episode reminds us that the future of work isn’t about replacing people—it’s about rediscovering what makes us human.

In this episode of Uncover the Human, Cristina Amigoni and Alex Cullimore dive into the power of deep listening—the often-overlooked skill that transforms conversations, relationships, and leadership. Joined by Aaron Wilson, they explore why listening feels so difficult at work, how it’s commonly undervalued, and why it’s actually the key to trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Through humor, honesty, and examples from their coaching practice, they unpack their signature LAVA framework—Listen, Acknowledge, Validate, Ask—as a simple yet transformative approach to building authentic connection and reducing workplace friction.

From navigating tough conversations to creating empowered teams, Cristina and Alex show how deep listening redefines what it means to “win” in leadership: not by being right, but by creating understanding. Whether you’re a manager seeking to strengthen your team or someone tired of surface-level communication, this conversation will leave you rethinking what it really means to be heard—and to truly hear others.