Today I want to acknowledge all those on the journey to make the leap from individual contributor or manager to inspiring leader and, any seasoned leaders who may have taken a few knocks this year and are battling with a bit of self-doubt (full disclosure, I’m probably in the second camp after a very tumultuous year!)
The leadership journey can be exciting and rewarding but, in my experience if you want to excel as a leader, it also comes with a big side of commitment to work on yourself. It also requires a shift in mindset from getting results and defining your success by what you do, to shifting the focus to support others to excel and develop.
It’s not always easy so today I thought I’d an article I co-created with my co-lead of The Marketing Academy coaching faculty (I’ll explain a bit more about this later), Leigh Morrison. Between us we’ve spent over 25 years coaching 100s of leaders to success on their leadership journey so it was a real privilege to share our thoughts more broadly in B & T on the number one ingredient that we think can help you succeed as a leader. Here’s some of the headlines and you can check out the full article below.
Stop chasing promotions & start embracing self-worth: the key ingredient to leadership success.
In many industries’ success is often measured by external validation—awards, promotions, glowing client results—it’s easy for our identity to become intertwined with our achievements. But as we rise through the ranks into leadership roles, this external validation often diminishes. The applause quiets, and leaders are left grappling with self-doubt, comparing themselves to others, or even feeling like frauds. These themes have bubbled up for me and frequently come up in coaching room with executives.
Compounding this challenge is the fact that many of us have tied our sense of self-worth to the work we do.
The danger here is that when we mesh our identity too closely with our professional accomplishments, we risk losing sight of who we truly are. We push ourselves harder and harder, chasing high standards and expectations—sometimes at the expense of our well-being. I know, I’ve been there. It can lead to burnout, frustration, and a fragile sense of self, all while trying to uphold the image of a successful leader.
The Price of Tying Identity to Work
As driven professionals, the danger of linking our identity to our work lies in the relentless pursuit of validation. Without realizing it, we can put our entire self-worth in the hands of the results we achieve, the roles we attain, or the recognition we receive. In doing so, the work becomes not just what we do, but who we are.
This can push us into a perfectionist mindset, where any setback or less-than-ideal outcome feels like a personal failure. And when the outward accolades fade, we may find ourselves adrift, unsure of where our true value lies. It’s not just a recipe for burnout; it’s a crisis of identity. For leaders and business owners, this presents a cautionary tale—without detaching from this mindset, we risk losing ourselves to the demands and expectations we place on our work, and thus, on ourselves.
Shifting the focus inward
The good news is that this isn’t a permanent state. The transition from individual contributor to a leader is a pivotal moment to redefine where our self-worth comes from. It requires shifting from seeking external validation to cultivating an internal sense of value. This means separating who we are from the work we do, and instead focusing on how we show up as leaders.
As leaders, our role extends beyond getting results—we are here to inspire, guide, and influence others. But without a strong foundation of self-worth and clarity on who we are beyond our job titles, it’s difficult to serve others effectively. True leadership begins with self-leadership.
To be a sustainable leader, you must start with yourself. The old adage “put your oxygen mask on first” applies here. Leaders who prioritize their well-being and understand their own worth outside of work are more equipped to empower their teams, influence their organizations, and create lasting impact.
5 ways to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth as a leader
If you’re finding yourself questioning your self-worth or identity as a leader, take heart. There are practical steps you can take to pull your identity apart from your work and build a strong foundation of self-worth that fuels your leadership growth.
1. Create a Vision for the Leader You Want to Be: shift your focus from what you do to who you are becoming. What kind of leader do you aspire to be? How do you want to impact those around you? By creating a clear vision of your leadership identity, you can navigate decisions and challenges with greater purpose and direction.
2. Identify Your Core Values: your values are the compass that guides your actions. Reflect on what truly matters to you beyond your work achievements. Understanding your core values helps you lead with integrity and authenticity, making decisions that align with who you are rather than what others expect.
3. Leverage Your Strengths: rather than focusing on areas for improvement, discover where your natural strengths lie. Tools like Clifton Strengths Finder can help you identify the tasks and skills that energize you. Aligning your leadership style with your strengths not only boosts your confidence but allows you to lead more effectively.
4. Practice Reflection and Internal Feedback: Leaders often seek external feedback, but developing an internal feedback loop is just as important. Regularly assess your performance, noting what went well and what could be improved. This practice builds resilience and self-awareness, reinforcing that growth is an ongoing journey.
5. Embrace the Discomfort of Growth: whether in leadership or creativity, involves discomfort. Resistance and self-doubt are normal parts of the process. Rather than avoiding these feelings, embrace them as signs of growth. When you lean into the tension, you’re positioning yourself to break through barriers and lead with greater authenticity.
I hope you have found this article helpful and if you want to check out the full version you can HERE.
