Here’s what I know about you: you’re a great leader. But you don’t always feel like one because you’re really hard on yourself.

If the people you lead could hear even a fraction of the things your inner critic whispers, they’d be shocked. And the fact that you have those thoughts? It only makes you feel more like an imposter.

But here’s the truth—even the greatest leaders struggle with doubt. No one has it all figured out. And anyone who pretends otherwise is just masking their own insecurities.

Leadership isn’t about being certain all the time,

it’s about living in uncertainty but taking action anyway.

And consequently, you’re going to make mistakes.

One of the hallmark tenants of all great leaders is a desire to improve as one.

And as a high achiever, you’re not shy from setting the bar of your leadership performance REALLY high.

In fact, sometimes you set that bar SO high that no leader on the planet could live up to those expectations (especially not all the time!).

Not only is it not realistic, it weakens your leadership.

How can you lead well if you are always feeling like you’re not enough?

I’m not asking you to set a low bar for yourself. Great leaders don’t do that.

What I’m saying is this:

The foundation of leadership is trust, not talent.

The standard for leadership is progress, not perfection

If you act with integrity and your people know you genuinely care about them, they’ll trust you. And if you focus on progress (getting a little better each day) you’re doing exactly what great leaders do.

Recognize the gaps in your leadership. But don’t only see what’s missing. Acknowledge your progress, too.

Your past success wasn’t an accident, and your future success isn’t a question. You’ve already overcome things that once seemed impossible and the challenges you’re facing now are no different.

Finally, don’t forget WHY you signed up for this in the first place.

You love to lead.

You love to help others become more than they thought possible.

You love to make an impact on the lives of others.

And you love to challenge yourself to become better today than you were yesterday.

Recenter yourself on those things.

Stop holding yourself to an impossible standard

and start recognizing the leader you already ARE.

Keep leading.
Keep growing.
You’re further along than you think.