Authenticity & over-sharing: a delicate balance

• As the first female president of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Claudia uses her experiences to help build strong working relationships—whether that’s in written communications or face to face.

It is a truism that leaders are expected to be authentic, especially in the post-Covid era. Although technology enabled us to work remotely—and, for many people, more efficiently—it quickly became apparent that a blurry screen is not a real human connection.

I felt this most acutely in July 2021, when I became the first woman—and the first American—to serve as the president of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration in its 100-year history. In this highly visible position, it was imperative to develop an authentic leadership style and voice. Yet I also questioned whether appearing too accessible—too human, that is—would pose problems. I quickly found myself negotiating the delicate balance between authenticity and over-sharing.

After my first two weeks as president,