Reach your highest leadership potential with this mindset shift
You will not reach your highest potential as a leader without recognizing how your inner narratives shape your actions.
That's what today is about.
I'd like to help you explore:
What you tell yourself
The impact of the story
How to write a new story
Let's get into it…
What You Tell Yourself
One of the most rewarding elements of my work is witnessing the ah-ha and then the transformation when my clients begin to a) recognize the story they tell themselves, and b) start to write a new story.
A quick sampling of stories clients are telling themselves:
“I'm not strategic enough to go for the promotion.”
“I'm the newest on the team, my opinion doesn't matter.”
“If I open up and let them get to know me, I'm going to get burned.”
“I've only ever been the #2, I'm not fit to be the #1 leading the company.”
“I'm the only one without X degree/certification, so I'm not as valuable.”
Reading these, my hope is you're having this reaction: Awww, they're being hard on themselves.
It's also highly probable at least one of these has been a story in your own mind as well.
Here's your first call to action:
Pause and name a story you're telling yourself that's impacting how you show up as a leader.
Perhaps you're telling yourself that you have to jump in on the project because your people aren't ready.
Or maybe you're telling yourself that if you speak up with more decisiveness that you're going to rock the boat too much.
Pause and name the story you're telling yourself. And now…
The Impact Of The Story
These inner narratives have the power to do 2 things:
Hold us back from our desired action, or
Inform our action with strategy
For most of us, our inner stories hold us back from action.
Our mind tells us we're not qualified, so we play a passive role.
Our mind tells us others can't be trusted, so we don't ask for help.
Our mind tells us it has to be done a certain way, so we don't collaborate.
This is where our leadership potential and effectiveness is at risk of plummeting.
Our inner narratives hold us back from the action we desire to take, but we're too afraid of the consequences.
Here's your call to action:
Examine the story your mind is telling you. Now reflect on these two questions:
What's factually true about this story?
What would I do if I put my fear aside?
When you're ready…it's time to…
Write A New Story
When you consciously put fear to the side, and you identify what's factually true about what you're telling yourself (very little most of the time), you can write a new story.
A new story enables you to get back into the driver's seat and identify and take the action that you know the business and your people deserve.
Examples of re-written, new stories:
“I do have valuable ideas, and I am more strategic than I give myself credit for.”
“I've never failed, why would I fail now? When I stumble, I know how to pivot.”
“I've been burned in the past, and the past is not a clear predictor of the future.”
“I may not have all the answers, yet, and what I know to be true is I am resourceful.”
These new stories empower you to show up completely differently.
And the actions available to you feel much more broad and accessible.
It's from this place that you're able to put aside your tendencies and lean more consciously into your competencies.
What's a new story you'll write that will better serve you and your leadership? Hit Reply, I'd love to hear from you!
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If this landed at the right time and place for you, or for women you know, consider joining me in November for Leadership That Lasts: A Retreat For Women.
We will be looking more deeply at how our inner game drives our outer game. And doing it in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment might be what the doctor ordered.
Limited onsite hotel rooms available. Details here.
If you don't identify as a woman, you likely know women who would benefit and I'd be honored if you shared this with them.
That's it for this week!
Have a fantastic weekend…and as always, hit Comment below with thoughts, questions, or requests for future newsletter topics!
