Confidence baby!

As I delve into the delivery of 2 leadership programs, coaching and facilitating clients that I feel so blessed to be working with, I can not help but notice how pervasive the ‘imposter syndrome’ is. This term is relatively new to me — I’ve only heard it used in the past 4-5 years. So many smart, capable and hard-working leaders say that they struggle mightily with this. I think, some imposter syndrome is good — humility combined with working ridiculously hard to achieve outstanding results, proving to yourself and others that you can deliver excellence…is good. Conversely, constantly second guessing yourself, analysis-paralysis, feeling as though you are not worthy (don’t want to meet with a VP for fear of ‘wasting her time’)…can become toxic.

So my question to leaders - How are you creating the conditions for employees to develop true confidence? Not cheerleading or rewarding every little thing…but fostering an environment of feedback and excellence, that PULLS people to step up and build real confidence. It is a difficult balance to hit, but so worth it. Not only for the growth and development of your employees, but for the positive, rippling impacts that are created in your ecosystem, resulting in organizational development and prosperity.