Let Bartlet be Bartlet – An Important Lesson from The West Wing

“I really did wake up energized this morning...I never go to bed that way.” - President Bartlet, The West Wing (TV Show)?

If you haven’t watched The West Wing, you are missing out...?

Best.Show.Ever.

In one fabulous episode, called “Let Bartlet be Bartlet”, the writers show the drained feeling that the President and his staff have a year into his term when they do not see any accomplishments from their time in office. Ultimately, the President realizes that he has been handcuffing himself and his team. He was elected based on his beliefs and values, but got caught in the game of not offending anyone and remaining popular. ?

And this episode is a powerful reminder for all organizational leaders.?

The Energy Draining Gap?

In his bestselling book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Joe Dispenza talks about the gap we all have between who we really are and who we want to show the world that we are. And he explains that there is a tremendous amount of psychological and physical energy that goes into maintaining the image that we broadcast to the world. ?

Every day, our mind is focused on the thoughts, speech, and action that will show the people who follow us that we are a certain type of person and leader. Maintaining this gap between who we are and who we want the world to see consumes our energy and leaves us feeling drained - instead of free, powerful, and invigorated. This gap can be particularly pronounced in leadership roles, where the pressure to project an image of confidence and authority can be overwhelming.?

The toll it takes on us is significant. It can erode our effectiveness as leaders, cloud our decision-making, and leave us feeling disconnected from our true selves. ?

The Authentic Leader?

Authentic leadership is the key to bridging this gap. When we lead with authenticity, we bring our true selves to our roles, aligning our actions with our values, beliefs, and strengths. Authenticity breeds trust, engagement, and personal fulfillment, making it a powerful force in leadership. You were chosen to lead your organization because of who you are, what you value, and the strength of your beliefs. Your funders, your volunteers, and your community chose to trust you for the same reason.?

So why are you handcuffing yourself? Are you a “Perfectionist Leader”, who feels the need to appear flawless in front of your team and stakeholders? This puts you under pressure to always have the answers and project an image of invincibility. Not only is this exhausting, but it can make you seem unapproachable or disingenuous.?

Are you a?“People-Pleaser Leader”, who constantly seeks validation and approval from team members, your board, and your funders? In this case, you may be afraid that you will lose out on a grant or a major donor if you are up-front about your values and beliefs. But in taking the middle road, you douse the passion and conviction that inspired your team and elevated your impact.?

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Overcoming the Gap?

I wanted to write 3 practical tips that you can take to bridge this gap. And there are many good ones: meditation, working with a mentor, journaling, and others. But really, this is about flipping a switch. In The West Wing, President Bartlet turns to his Chief of Staff and asks him what they need to do to get out of their current funk. And Leo, the Chief of Staff, scribbles 3 words onto a sheet of paper: Let Bartlet be Bartlet. ?

How powerful is that? Let go of the fear you may have about what will be accepted by those around you. Let go of the fear that you may offend board members or lose funders. I’m not saying to be brash, arrogant, or intentionally create conflict. I’m not even saying to be impractical. I am simply reminding you that you were chosen for that role for a reason. ?

Your values, beliefs, convictions, and passions are an important foundation for the strength that will make you excel in that role. They are a vital component of breaking out of the mold of an average leader and becoming a leader who inspired, motivates, and scales an organization to create a lasting impact.?

Let Bartlet be Bartlet.?

About Us?

Maneva Group is a woman and minority owned national executive search firm focused on hiring impactful leaders for mission-driven organizations. We have expertise in completely managing the recruiting process, curating diverse and exceptionally qualified candidate pools, and advising C-suite executives and board members through crucial hiring decisions.?