Knowing the core of who you are!
We all have a leadership fingerprint. No two leaders are exactly the same.
Which should give us all some comfort and encouragement. If there was a specific profile of the elite leader, that would cause us to be someone we are not and crush our confidence.
However, knowing there is more than one way to 'skin the leadership cat' is comforting. Instead of being someone we are not, we simply have to figure out who we are and how best to lead out of our true selves.
False
So the first question that must be asked is what is your true, core identity?
In my experience, we either get our identity from the "room" or our creator.
We get our false identity from the "room". The room is often a youth league coach, a parent, a friend, or a foe. This is the voice in all of us that whispers (or yells):
"You are not good enough."
"You are average."
"You are a fraud."
"You will never get it done."
These are just a few of the inner voices that over time turn into identities that we walk around with.
What does that inner voice sound like in your life? What are the lies that you believe about yourself?
True
The true identity comes from our creator. I would articulate that my true identity comes from God and how he created and wired me.
Because our false identity is so loud in our minds, discovering our true identity can be difficult.
One way I have asked this is "What if someone knew the very fiber of your being? This person knows the cracks and crevices of exactly how you are created, how you are gifted, and how you are wired. And on top of this, they love you unconditionally. What would this person say your identity is?"
Examples
As I have done this exercise with leaders, I have heard the following:
"My true identity is a 'lifeguard'. I am supposed to be a walk with and support people who are in a tough spot."
"My true identity is 'transformational leader'. I am called to help transform my athletes from boys to men. From good competitors to great competitors"
Those are just two examples of true identities.
When we walk in our true identity, we know who we are and walk comfortably in that identity.
When we walk in our false identity, we are fearful, insecure, and often self-protect.
The difference between walking in our true identity as opposed to our false identity is massive. You recongnize quickly those who know who they are and those who don't know who they are.
Performance psychologist Jim Loehr said, “Your inner voice pretty much determines your destiny.” I could not agree more.
The story we tell ourselves flows from our identity.
If we walk consistently in our false identity, the story we tell ourselves will hinder and minimize our impact. If we walk in our true identity, the story we tell ourselves will propel us and allow us to have massive impact.
The story you tell yourself is crucial. And the story we tell ourselves flows from our identity.
One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was recognizing my false identity and learning and walking in my true identity. It was a game-changer for me. And I have seen it be a game-changer for others as well.
Knowing your true identity is key to discovering your leadership fingerprint on your journey to self-awareness!
Click here to learn about/order my book The Leadership Greenhouse
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One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- Leadership comes not from a title but influence
Article 2- Why we set goals
Podcast- Jason Burton. Basketball coach at U of North Texas. Elite leader!
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