Cristina and Alex kick off a mini-series around their book, The Authenticity Upgrade: Rebooting Leadership for Real Humans, arguing that culture and authenticity—not org charts and processes—determine whether change sticks. They move past theory into day-to-day practices: how leaders (and humans) can reduce friction, align to values, and create environments where people can show up fully. Along the way, they name the early signals of misalignment—dread, resistance, and over-functioning—and frame a “better way” anchored in flow, trust, and lived values.