Welcome to IGW Insights Issue 8!
For some leaders, the voice of self-doubt can be a nagging whisper. For others, it howls like a banshee.
Perhaps it tells you that you can’t be an effective leader because you aren’t wired that way. It could be trying to convince you to be more “realistic” when what you want to do is make big things happen. Or maybe it’s the inverse, pushing you to focus on maximizing business growth when what you really want to do is create something unique and special, but small.
No matter the volume or intensity, the voice of self-doubt wants us to create limitations for ourselves where none should exist. It’s the voice in your head that says, “You Aren’t Capable,” or “Want What Others Say You Should Want.”
And you listen to that voice. Why? Because that voice sounds eerily like you.
This is the dreaded Impostor Syndrome. It’s your voice trying to convince you that you can’t.
Here’s the irony: Impostor Syndrome is most common in high-performing people who make bold decisions. It’s going to come after you when you are being most gutsy.
Like, for example, when you decide to take your business to previously unimaginable heights.
This is the decision to set aside the status quo and move outside the friendly comfort zone to shoot for the moon. Once you embrace the bigger vision, it means you’re going to have to do everything differently and at a higher level, often letting go of approaches that have worked in the past, and opportunities that seem exciting but do not fit the new, bolder vision. What happens when imposter syndrome kicks in? Read more here.
Recommended Reading and Listening
One of the most important things a leader can do is develop confidence, dare I say even love, for him or herself. I got a ton out of The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins. I read the book and listened to the audiobook, and found them both valuable. Robbins is the narrator of her own audiobook, and not only does she nail it, but she also adds a few little surprises throughout.
Small Giants by Bo Burlingham is my next reading suggestion for this issue. If you’re a business owner/CEO struggling to create a vision and identify the role of your business in the world, your community, your life, this book is a must read right now. Put your other books aside for a week, get your pencil ready, and tear this puppy apart. It’s so good.
Journaling Exercise
Simple prompt for this issue. Journal the following prompts for ten minutes each. You don’t have to do them all in one sitting, but definitely spend an uninterrupted ten minutes on each one:
- My greatest contribution in my company and its people is…
- The role of my company in our community and for our employees is…
- The role of my company in my life is…
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Onward and upward,
Dan Weiss, CEO
