From Leading Others to Leading Yourself

You're standing in front of your team, about to announce a major change.
Your heart pounds. Your palms sweat.
The words you've rehearsed tangle in your throat.
In that moment, you're not just facing your team – you're facing yourself.
I remember that feeling.
The day I had to tell my team we were making changes, my inner critic screamed that
…I wasn't ready,
…wasn't strong enough,
…wasn't the right person for this moment.
Then it dawned on me - before I could lead others through change, I needed to lead myself through the fear.
I had to quiet the voice inside that was telling me that I wasn’t enough.
Nobody should walk this leadership path alone, carrying the weight of decisions while hiding their inner battles.
You’re human. We all have doubt, feel insecure sometimes.
The good news is you can learn to lead yourself with the same compassion and courage you offer your team.
Ready to begin your journey from fear-based to courage-based leadership?
Step 1: Face Your Inner Boardroom

Every time you make a decision, your inner boardroom fills with voices.
What’s behind the voices in your head ( and yes, this is normal)?
It’s always your fear (I call mine Fred because it became so much easier to identify him as if he was a board member trying to reason with me).
“Fred” or whatever name you give this inner champ, means well – he's trying to protect you from failure, judgment, and pain.
But he can't tell the difference between real danger and when you simply are facing an opportunity to grow.
When I stood frozen before my team that day, Fred was running the meeting. "They'll lose respect for you," he warned. "You'll mess this up."
My leadership suffered because I let fear hold the gavel.
If you don't take this step, fear will keep driving your decisions. Your team will sense your uncertainty, and you'll create a culture of caution rather than courage.
To reclaim your leadership voice:
Step away and see your fear as separate from you (meet your Fred)
Listen to his concerns with compassion
Thank him for his protection
Gently remind him that you're in charge
Move forward with conscious courage
Step 2: Take the Hot Air Balloon View

Rising above the daily chaos gives you perspective. From up here, you can spot patterns in your leadership style.
Where do you retreat when challenges arise?
When do you let Fear Fred take the wheel?
I learned this lesson while reorganizing my department. From ground level, every decision felt overwhelming. But when I stepped back, I saw how my fear of disapproval was shaping our entire strategy.
Without this perspective, you'll stay stuck in reactive leadership, putting out fires instead of lighting the way forward.
Try this practice:
Start each morning with five minutes of quiet reflection
Notice which decisions energize you versus drain you
Identify where fear is holding you back
Write down one tiny brave step you can take today
Celebrate each moment of choosing courage over comfort
Step 3: Lead from Your Center

True leadership flows from self-trust. When you know who you are and what you stand for, decisions become clearer.
Your team doesn't need you to be perfect – they need you to be authentic.
The real breakthrough in my leadership came when I stopped trying to fit someone else's mold. My “strange jewels” – my emotional sensitivity, my love of storytelling, my quirky way of solving problems – became my greatest strengths.
Skip this step, and you'll forever lead from the outside in, trying to meet others' expectations instead of following your inner wisdom.
Build your leadership core:
List your unique gifts (yes, even the strange ones)
Notice when you feel most alive in your work
Trust your intuition alongside your logic
Share your vulnerability as strength
Lead with your whole heart, not just your head
Your Journey Begins Now

Picture yourself six months from now, leading with quiet confidence.
Your decisions flow from wisdom rather than worry.
Your team feels your authentic presence. You've learned to dance with fear instead of fighting it.
This transformation starts with one choice – the choice to lead yourself first. You already have everything you need. Your courage is waiting to be awakened, your wisdom ready to guide you.
I believe in your capacity to grow into the leader you're meant to be. The world needs your unique voice, your special gifts, your brave heart.
Ready to take your next tiny brave step? Sign up for weekly guidance on your journey to courage-based leadership. Each email brings practical wisdom, inspiring stories, and simple practices to strengthen your inner leader.
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