Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem—Navigating the Challenges of Inner Value for professional success
Penny Power OBE
The Human Touch in an AI World- Creating Love & Connection for Business Owners in an emotionally disconnected world through BIP100/ Author ?? Business Is Personal
Good morning! Welcome to my 83rd Ponderings that encourages you to sit and think for a moment about your humanness, your Human Touch in an AI world. Let’s never lose it.
This week, due to a few people sharing their challenges of imposter syndrome,? I'm exploring the critical yet often misunderstood concepts of self-worth and self-esteem.?
While self-worth reflects our inherent value, self-esteem often relies on external validation, something that social media has ingrained deeply in our lives through the broadcast of posts and the desire to be seen and validated on them. This reliance can lead to fluctuations in how we perceive our worth, contributing to phenomena like imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome, where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud," often stems from low self-esteem.?
Yet, one of the most effective antidotes is the act of contribution—supporting and caring for others. This not only helps others but reinforces our own sense of value through positive impacts we can clearly observe.
It was amazing when I learned, through my daughter’s teaching, the way that self worth and self esteem work together, this was about 6 years ago, when my self worth was very low, yet self esteem was high,I hope this helps you to consider your own path on this.
Self-Worth?
Self-worth refers to the inherent belief that one is fundamentally deserving of love, respect, and belonging, regardless of external circumstances or achievements. It's about valuing oneself unconditionally. Self-worth is internal, deeply rooted, and tends not to fluctuate wildly with life’s ups and downs. It is more about one's core beliefs about their intrinsic value as a human being.
It is because of our need to have self worth to function in business and life, enabling us to have confidence and boundaries, and that I love building our community. These character traits can ensure that we manage our business in a way that values ourselves, the price we charge, the boundaries we create, they all stem from feeling confident.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem, on the other hand, is often based on external measures of success and can be quite variable. It relates to how we feel about ourselves based on our achievements, roles, and how we think we are perceived by others. It can change more frequently, influenced by daily experiences and achievements. High self-esteem often also provides confidence in one's abilities and accomplishments, but it can lead to problems if our self-esteem is contingent only on external validation.
Encouraging Truth and building meaningful connections
At our community lunches, we invite business professionals to share their life journeys, including the adversities they've overcome. These stories often reflect a 'hero's journey,' offering stunning, profound insights into personal and professional growth. The environment we cultivate is one of psychological safety, where individuals are valued for who they are beyond their professional achievements.
From these gatherings, we usually discover 2-3 remarkable individuals who join our BIP100 community, attracted by the honesty and support they experience. These lunches are not just networking events; they are a testament to the power of community in strengthening self-worth and building lasting, meaningful connections.
This week, reflect on your own experiences:
Understanding and nurturing our internal worth is crucial in a world that often prioritises achievements. Let’s commit to appreciating ourselves for who we are and fostering environments where you can feel valued.
As always, I am eager to hear your thoughts and experiences with self-worth and self-esteem.?
How do you navigate these in your daily life??
Let’s discuss and support each other in our journeys to deeper self-acceptance and community connection.
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Let's make 2025 a year where our digital advancements celebrate and amplify our human essence. Thank you for being part of this journey, and for allowing me the privilege to share in your lives.
Manage redundancies, TUPE and difficult people issues with compassion and kindness | Award winning author: "Redundancy with love: Getting it right for your people and your business"
1 周We all sometimes make a barbed comment (even unintentionally) or lash out at a loved one, and for me that often comes from a lack of self-worth or feelings of inadequacy. If our self-worth is intact, then we are kinder to others. If someone does or says something damaging to my self-esteem, then I think maybe their own self-worth is not high.
Exec Coach for Mid-Career Crisis | Future of Work Expert | Author | Speaker
1 周Great post Penny in this social media world where it is so easy to judge ourselves on metrics are associated with the external world. The internal world is what is of real value though.
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist | Speaker | Mental Health Professional
1 周This is such an important distinction Penny. Self-esteem often gets the spotlight, but self-worth is the true foundation of confidence. So many high-achievers struggle with this imbalance, feeling accomplished yet still questioning their intrinsic value. When we detach our worth from external success and instead root it in who we are, not just what we do, we create unshakable confidence. I love how your community lunches foster deeper connections—feeling seen and valued by others is a powerful way to reinforce our own self-worth. Such a meaningful discussion!
Director of Creative Rule Breaking (Live Events)
1 周1. On Self-Worth - How do you measure your own worth? Do you rely more on internal values or external validation? - What internal qualities or achievements make you feel most proud of yourself? 2. On Contribution - Can you recall a time when helping someone else positively impacted how you saw yourself? - How do you feel when you contribute to others’ well-being or share your knowledge? 3. On Community - What would your ideal supportive community look like? What values would it hold? - How do you think vulnerability and openness could strengthen connections in a group? 4. On Authenticity - When do you feel most like your true self? What helps you shed external expectations? - How do you balance the desire for external validation with staying true to your inner values? 5. On Interconnectedness - How do you see your role in the larger "tapestry of life"? - What steps can you take to build deeper, more meaningful connections with others?
Retired Finance. Trade and Development Facilitator and Member of True&Fair Party
1 周As always a Ponder to make one think and pay attention and credit to what is said. Love and Success are worthy targets in all that one does and being Consistent, Insistent and Persistent while sharing Knowledge, Information and Truth as one Ponders truly ensures that Self Worth and Self Esteem matters, so thank You Penny for always making us Ponder.