Have you ever taken a look at yourself in the mirror? I don’t mean the kind you do in the morning as you are getting ready for work. I am talking about a real hard look in the mirror to see who you really are. A look that allows you to see the depths of your being.
This can be frightening for some. As humans we hold tight to the notion that taking a good look at ourselves is scary, we do not want to see the truth. Denial is a beautiful thing some will say. I disagree. I believe we are beautiful souls who have simply forgotten who we are.
We have been led to believe we need to hide behind a mask and pretend for fear of judgment, ridicule, or shame. We act overly confident on the outside while on the inside feeling incompetent or inept. We have this false idea that we need to be perfect and live up to others’ expectations. This is known as the Imposter Syndrome.
Living a more authentic life requires work and the willingness to take a hard look. As a leadership coach and guide, I work with my clients to re-discover their truth. Meaning we work together to unearth the goodness they were born with, allowing them to positively impact the lives of others.
I have worked with many leaders who will project, judge, and openly express negativity about those they lead while forgetting to look in the mirror. They are only able to see the faults and mishaps of others while not realizing they too have faults. When we have the courage to look in the mirror, we begin to see we are all perfectly imperfect.
If you feel bold and brave, take the hard look. Observe your own behaviors. Listen to your own words and hear the message. Are you being authentic? Are you being true to who you really are? Are you being supportive, and kind or are you judgmental and critical?
Leadership starts with you. Take a hard look to see who you are. If you found this week’s newsletter helpful please Like and Share.
