When it comes to good leaders many have a shared characteristic: confidence. I’m not talking about brazen, in-your-face, lack of humility confidence, I’m talking about that authentic, I’ve put in the work and now I’m here, I know I can do this work kind of confidence. As an individual leading a group of people toward creating a more inclusive community, you have GOT to have confidence in yourself. After all, it is scary to challenge centuries of rules, regulations, and practices that have perpetuated systems of oppression. So what’s a leader to do? Believe and find your confidence.
Belief in yourself is the secret sauce
If you’re thinking “That’s all well and good Taryn but that is way easier said than done” I hear you. Keep reading to learn about three common beliefs leaders have about themselves that hold them back and how to fight back.
Limiting Belief 1- I feel like a fraud.
Perception of ourselves adds so much pressure when it comes to being a leader. Too often we let that little voice in our head convince us that we are a fraud, not cut out for being a leader or making big decisions when in reality we are the perfect person to be doing what we’re doing in the moment. Make a brag box for yourself that you fill with positive things YOU have accomplished. Keep it somewhere accessible and use it whenever you need it - even if that’s twice a day every day!
Limiting Belief 2- Mistakes are BAD.
Oooooh this one! From a young age, we are taught that when we make a mistake we do something wrong. It’s time to flip the narrative (for ourselves and our kids) and embrace mistake-making. Why? Because making mistakes means you’re trying something new, something you’re NOT an expert in, something that is innovative and new. When we stop making mistakes we’ve stopped coming up with solutions to problems that still need to be fixed. When it comes to helping yourself embrace the mistakes start small and grow from there!
Limiting Belief 3- I have no idea what I’m doing.
Guess what? You actually know EXACTLY what you’re doing. You are strong, you are capable, and you are driven. When you feel a little unmoored as a leader it might be time to check in a redefine your mission, but that does not mean you don’t know what you’re doing. Make a conscious decision to trust yourself and find healthy ways to cope with anxiety about your own strengths. Engage in meditation, try some deep breathing, make a list of things you’re grateful for - the list goes on and on.
Take a listen to the latest episode of my podcast, Cheers to Your Pivot 🎧to find out exactly how you can combat these limiting beliefs and and transform your leadership!
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