The Confidence Upgrade

Turn your strengths into acts of service

Sunday edition of Heart Centered Leadership

Introduction:

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Ever feel like you're downplaying your strengths, hiding your superpowers? Like, you're crushing it, but you're still kinda... apologizing for it?

Yeah, me too.

So, ready to drop the modesty and unleash your full potential?

Let's dive in!

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It's time to break a major leadership taboo: stop downplaying your strengths!

Humility is a virtue, sure, but when it comes to knowing your value–it's time to get a healthy dose of swagger.

Think of the leaders you admire.

Do they shrink back and mumble half-hearted apologies when they're clearly crushing it? No way!

They exude confidence rather than arrogance and do so with a firm understanding of their special abilities.

We're not aiming for ego-mania here, but for true self-assuredness.

Here's the problem with hiding your light under a bushel basket: Your team misses out on the full impact of your leadership.

People long to follow someone who has confidence in themselves. Not in a self-centered way, but in that "I’ve got this, and together, we’ve got this” way.

So, how do we shed that modesty straitjacket and embrace our strengths with both conviction and grace? Let's dive in:

The Confidence Upgrade

Here's a mental reframe: think of showcasing your strengths as an act of service, not selfishness. When you operate from your strengths, you make everyone's job easier. Your team knows they can lean on your analytical prowess, or your gift for mediation, or your infectious optimism when times get tough. People don't want to follow a wishy-washy leader.

Don't worry, this doesn't mean becoming a loudmouth or constantly spouting self-promotional drivel. It's about:

Clarity:                  Knowing exactly where your superpowers lie.

Conviction:          Believing in those strengths without hesitation.

Contribution:      Actively offering your strengths in service of your team's goals.

 Exercise: Your Strength Manifesto

Take some time for reflection with this exercise. Jot down:

 3 to 5 of your signature strengths: Really own them (for example, instead of "I'm generally creative," try "I'm a visionary idea machine").

 How they shape your leadership: Be specific! Not just "I'm a good communicator," but "I use humor and storytelling to break down complex concepts and inspire action."

One promise to your team: How will you leverage your strengths to contribute in a meaningful way?

Keep this manifesto close. It's your secret weapon when self-doubt starts to creep in.

Strength-Speak vs. Inflated Ego

How do you communicate your strengths without coming across as a narcissist? It's a subtle dance, but here are a few guidelines:

Actions over Words:             Let your actions speak louder than bragging ever could. Deliver that stellar analysis, diffuse that tense situation… that's undeniable proof.

Credit Where It's Due:         True strength shines a spotlight on others. Highlight your team members' contributions and show genuine appreciation for their amazing talents.

"We" Not "Me":                     Frame success in collective terms whenever possible. This reinforces the "your strengths make us all stronger" mentality.

Taming the Inner Critic

That nagging voice of doubt is a universal leadership foe. Even when we're thinking rationally, we know we excel at something, and that pesky inner critic likes to whisper, “Who are you kidding?" It's time to retrain that voice.

Try this: When you hear self-doubt, flip the script. Instead of “I'm not experienced enough for this," reframe it , "My fresh perspective and problem-solving skills are exactly what's needed here."

Your Challenge (should you accept it)

Pick one signature strength and consciously infuse it into a specific leadership task this week. Go slightly over the top. Own that strength so thoroughly that it's undeniable (for both yourself and others). Observe the results. It might feel a tad awkward at first, but that's how you break out of your comfort zone!

Up next, we'll tackle a common pitfall of even the most awesome strengths – when those superpowers get a little out of control...

To Say it Differently…

Imagine your strengths as a collection of designer outfits, gathering dust in the back of your leadership closet. Sure, they fit perfectly, but you keep reaching for that same old, crumpled "playing it safe" suit. Time to break out the sequins, the bold patterns, and those pieces that make you feel invincible! Showcase those strengths with swagger. You'll be surprised how quickly those "statement pieces" boost your confidence and change the way everyone sees your leadership style.

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VIA: Your Strength-Decoding Tool

The most well-respected tool for uncovering your character strengths is called the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. It's free, has a ton of research backing it up, and takes only 15 minutes to complete.

VIA Survey Link:

Go ahead and do the VIA Survey now. I’ll wait…

Don't overthink the survey; go with your gut reactions. The key is honesty, not trying to guess the "right" answers. When you're done, you'll get a ranking of all 24 strengths. This is your starting line, your personalized leadership blueprint.

I will see you next week, ready to move forward based on your results.

Or to get ahead and support my writing, you can purchase my ebook on Amazon: “Fall in Love With Your Inner Leader: Become More Connected, Confident, Creative in 7 Weeks.”