Leadership Limiting Belief Hacking

When I say I’m a leadership coach…

People think I help tall people speak louder. I’ve learned as a second-generation leadership coach with more than 10 years in the field: The most effective leaders are the most themselves. When it comes to impact, radical integrity invariably beats conformity to stereotype. 

Yet few define themselves as leaders. Being a leader must mean being smarter, better, stronger than others. Being a leader must mean others are lesser, coerced, controlled. This old model of “power over” limits good people’s willingness to step up. 

Power has been abused. To change this, we must redefine leadership. In today’s complex, ambiguous world, leadership is an individual's ownership of his or her impact. Stepping into it isn’t about ego, rather: responsibility. Neutrality does not exist. We must use our power well. 

Leadership is a service—standing for and acting upon our highest values from wherever we stand. A barista who makes it his job to be the best part of everyone’s morning; a mom who teaches her children to respect each individual’s differences; a team member who speaks up when higher-ups forget to put the customers first: Leadership is not contingent on position.

The responsibility to lead is the responsibility to act with the highest integrity for the betterment of the world. Like all true change, owning your leadership begins within. Below is a journaling process to hack your limiting leadership beliefs—and own your power for the betterment of the world.

Leadership Limiting Belief Hacking 

A belief is a thought we habitually have. Like any negative habit, unexamined negative beliefs

limit us. 

“Name it to tame it.” Writing out negative beliefs moves them from the emotional, subconscious brain to the logical, conscious brain, empowering us to reexamine our thought patterns—and choose what we believe. 

Complete the prompts below as many times as needed to name the negative thoughts limiting your leadership:

I am too ___ to be a leader.

I am not ___enough to be a leader.

Now, reframe. Complete the prompt below for each quality listed above: 

 I am a ___ leader. This means: (insert positive impact) 

Repeat the sentences above aloud to create new mental habit patterns—and own your unique

leadership contribution.

Ready to step up to serve? Book a leadership coaching consultation.