“If I was scattered, the team was scattered—and it was life or death.”
What happens when the life you’ve built is also the life you’re hiding inside?
In this episode, Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan sit down with leadership coach and former CIA officer Kenny Leahman to explore the concept of “living under cover”—and what it takes to drop it.
From volunteering for two years in Afghanistan during the height of the war to navigating the internal conflict of living a double life, Kenny shares how extreme environments sharpened his understanding of focus, trust, and leadership. But it’s his personal journey—coming out to his wife, his organization, and ultimately himself—that reveals the deeper cost of inauthenticity.
This conversation moves beyond storytelling into something more fundamental: the courage to be seen, the role of self-awareness in leadership, and the transformational power of dropping the covers that hold us back.
You’ll Hear
– How a life-and-death leadership environment in Afghanistan clarified what truly matters
– Why focus isn’t just a productivity tool—but a signal of leadership and commitment
– The surprising parallel between intelligence work and coaching: deep, trust-based relationships
– What it means to “live under cover”—and why everyone, in some way, does
– The internal cost of misalignment between identity, values, and behavior
– A powerful story of coming out—and the unexpected leadership response that changed everything
– How fear of being “found out” shows up as imposter syndrome in leaders
– The role of self-awareness in leadership—and why lack of it can do real harm
– How to identify the gap between the values you claim and the values you live
– Why dropping your cover doesn’t just transform you—it expands your impact
– The three questions every leader should ask themselves: Who am I? Who do I need to be? How do I get there?
Resources
Kenny’s website
Connect with Kenny on LinkedIN
Here’s a link to the LISTENING LAB
Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off – Use code NARATIV → Register Here
Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.
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