Leadership Identity: The Two Fundamental Questions
By: Jaime Goff, PhD, Renogize Coach
Leaders are struggling to adjust to shifting expectations in the workplace. According to McKinsey, 75% of workers believe the most stressful aspect of work is their boss, and younger employees expect to find meaning and belonging through their work.
In response, leaders are asking, “What should I do?” This is the wrong question. Instead, leaders should be asking, “Who do I need to be?”
There are two fundamental questions that inform identity:
Am I worthy of love and respect?
Are others trustworthy?
These questions inform core beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. To maintain their developmental edge and adapt to shifting demands, leaders must reflect on these questions.
Am I Worthy?
Leader identity is grounded in self-worth. Leaders who doubt their worthiness are driven by self-protection, resulting in micromanagement and an inability to delegate.
Developing self-worth is a lifelong project, but small strides in this area can make a big difference. Actions to strengthen your self-worth include:
Seek out coaching with Renogize to strengthen leadership confidence or a psychotherapist if you struggle with issues such as depression or anxiety.
Practice self-compassion.
Prioritize your need for connection by nurturing personal relationships.
Are Others Trustworthy?
Younger workers expect their voices to be heard and want to contribute in the workplace. If you don’t trust others, you will struggle to empower those on your team.
To become more trusting of your team, try the following:
Assess the source of your doubts. Is your lack of trust based on observable facts with specific people? Or is it based on past experiences unrelated to current team members?
Test your assumptions. Design small experiments to provide your team members with an opportunity to prove you wrong and exceed your expectations.
Delegate strategically. Don’t set your team up for failure by delegating tasks beyond their knowledge or skill. Base assignments on their ability to be successful, developing trust and empowerment.
