One of the most rewarding parts of the work I do is watching my clients soar – when they realize what’s standing in their way, address what’s standing in their way, and truly soar. And become the leaders, and people, they want to be.
Over the years, as I’ve watched my clients soar, I’ve also catalogued the things that have most often gotten in their way. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not others who have gotten in their way as much as it is my clients themselves.
It’s my client who doesn’t want to meet with senior leaders because she doesn’t want to be a burden to them. It’s my client who is facing tremendous family challenges, yet doesn’t want to tell his colleagues because “it shouldn’t affect me at work.” It’s my client who pushes all credit to her team and refuses to take any herself, deflecting all compliments sent her way. It’s my client who feels like an imposter, and doesn’t recognize how qualified he is for his position and how much he contributes to the team.
There are so many ways we all hold ourselves back, and it’s time to stop.
As eloquently shared in this inspiring video of Carla Harris from Morgan Stanley, it’s time to not only own our strengths, but to also claim them and even teach others to see us (and refer to us) in that way. To own our brilliance and learn to build the reputation, and relationships, that will help us succeed and soar.
It’s time to stop the silly tapes that play in our head, such as “I don’t want to be a burden,” or “I’m really not that good,” or “I have to work even harder to prove that I deserve this job.” It’s time to stop holding ourselves back.
How do you hold yourself back? How will you stop?
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If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
For support in not holding back, but diving in, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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