I have the privilege of speaking and working closely with organizations every day. From those conversations, I have learned that any solopreneur, entrepreneur, or successful leader can suffer a crisis of confidence when they least expect it.
You are not alone if you have ever experienced moments where you feel hopeless, questioned if you are too young to be in a role, or felt that you are simply not good enough. It can also manifest itself in a dreaded case of imposter syndrome. However, many of these feelings are often caused by how we think people perceive us, rather than who we actually are.
As humans, we often define ourselves by a series of labels that we think represent who we are and how we want to be seen by the rest of the world. Although these labels can help us achieve our goals, we often forget that we are much more than the perception of others. Ultimately, your truth is who you say you are.
When you believe, feel, and say you are that thing, something magical starts to happen. Your inner voice and curiosity become your compass. You can envision yourself in a specific place and begin to naturally move in a direction that will guide you to find your place in the world.
I began my career as a lawyer, but it was only when I was brave enough to be honest with myself, that I learned it was not my truth. I am and have always been a people person that cares for others. I pivoted, and my journey took me into the customer and account management sales space. I loved the experience and enjoyed helping customers. Once again, I quickly realized that this was only a part of my journey, rather than the final destination.
My true calling in life was to be a leader with heart in the employee and leadership space. I didn’t need an advanced degree to lead with empathy and compassion, it’s who I am, and I was called to do this, so I continued to follow my path. My leadership journey was successful because I dared to embrace that I am who I say I am, and that is the same for everyone else too.
Along your journey, you will encounter those who will try to put a label on you or convince you that their perception of you is different from who you are. The reality is that only you can determine your identity and use it as a guide to take you to where you need to go. When you accept that you are who you say you are, you can walk in that direction confidently with your head held high.
I encourage you to follow your inner compass on your leadership development journey. Let the lessons you learn about yourself along the way guide you to where you need to be in this life. Most importantly, remember you are who you say you are and not how others perceive you.
