“No one can make you feel inferior..."
Andrew Bryant, CSP
?? Global Leadership Authority | ?? Bestselling Author: Self-Leadership, Team Performance, and Human Potential | ?? Executive Coach to Fortune 500 Leaders | ??International Keynote Speaker
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, the former first lady of the U.S.A. one of the most admired women of the 20th Century.
Eleanor clearly understood and practiced self-leadership because she also said,
"The choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
Her advice is timeless; just today, I was coaching an executive who has taken a new Global Role, and he was sharing with me that he was anxious about the impression he was making with his new boss.
The impression you are giving, I shared, is that you are anxious. Were you not promoted to this role because you had particular competencies and experience?
If you lack confidence in your ability to do this role, you are giving consent to feel inferior. Do you want to give that consent?
Thankfully, the answers to these questions were yes, and no.
Can you answer the same?
Creating Boundaries
Self-leadership is the practice of intentionally influencing your thinking, feeling, and actions toward your objectives. With self-leadership, we take ownership of our choices and so can set a clear boundary between Me, and Not Me.
'Me' are your own thoughts, feelings, and action. 'Not Me' are the opinions and actions of others, just as Eleanor Roosevelt said.
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When we develop a clear sense of ourselves (Me), we can be less impacted by the opinions of others but instead can influence them.
As you accept the challenges you have faced and triumphed over, acknowledge the courage it took to do so, and access the confidence that you've got this, and whatever comes next, you will establish your credibility.
Are you perfect, are you better than others? No, of course not, that would be hubris and arrogance, but you can say proudly,
"I have nothing to prove only things to improve".
I have shared this mantra with my coaches and in my keynote speeches and witnessed its transformational power.
Attending an English Grammar school, I was forced to read a lot of Shakespeare but today I'm grateful for the wisdom that is contained in his verse.
“Our doubts are traitors,
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt.”
What if you were to silence your doubts by accepting your current reality, accessing your confidence, and advancing toward your next opportunity?
Speak Like a Wise CEO - Trusted by Leaders, Sales & Teams to Refine Communication for High-Stakes Conversations, Public Speaking, Rough & Tough Talks | Career Spanning Over Three Decades | Speaker, Trainer, Coach, Author
1 年According to Aristotle, courage is the virtue that allows individuals to confront their fears and act in the face of danger, difficulty, or uncertainty. Without courage, individuals may be hesitant to act on their beliefs or values, even when they know it's the right thing to do. For example, if someone wants to speak up against injustice but is afraid of potential consequences, their lack of courage may prevent them from taking action. In this case, courage is necessary to practice the virtue of justice. Similarly, courage is necessary to practice other virtues such as honesty, kindness, and empathy. It takes courage to be honest and transparent in your interactions with others, especially when the truth may be difficult or uncomfortable. It takes courage to be kind and empathetic, especially when it may be easier to be indifferent or apathetic. Aristotle believed that courage is the first virtue because it is the foundation upon which all other virtues are built. By developing courage, individuals can build a strong foundation for a virtuous life and overcome obstacles that may prevent them from achieving their goals.
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1 年Sooo Spot ON. Thank you.
Bachelor of Commerce - BCom from Nizam College at Hyderabad Public School
1 年Great share. Timeless advice. ????
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1 年Courage, the most important trait for a leader in my books, Andrew Bryant, CSP. And Eleanor Roosevelt is a great example of that.