The inner critic
What’s that inner critic telling you these days?
Have you stopped to think about it recently?
Well, multiple cohorts have just finished Week 4 of the 8-week Leadership Programme and the inner critic was one of the hot topics of discussion.
BIG TAKEAWAY: Everyone has that little voice that pipes up to tell us we’re ‘not good enough’.
No matter how senior, experienced, or advanced you are in your leadership position… that inner voice can get LOUD.
We have a lovely mix of seniority levels in these latest cohorts.
From fresh-out-of-the-box leaders to those who’ve spent many years, if not decades, moving up the ranks.
And what shocked less experienced leaders most was hearing how senior leaders also struggle with these doubts.
When we’re new to a role, it’s easy to believe that people with more experience are somehow immune to that inner critic.
As if, once you’re senior you know what you’re doing, have your sh*t together, and no longer question yourself.
Not true.
The more senior you are the further you have to fall. So that voice can be deafening!
Making you believe that everyone thinks you should be better than you are.
“You’re winging it and soon you’ll get rumbled! Who even thought to give you this job?!”
Everyone has an inner critic to deal with.
And that’s okay.
Even mine still grabs the megaphone from time to time and barks, “You’re not cut out for this!”
Seriously!
#TheNerve
Only last week I was recommended to a company on the hunt for a Leadership Development Expert.
It was to train a group of established senior leaders.
Leaders at the very top of the proverbial leadership pyramid.
[INSERT INNER CRITIC]
*Gulp*
“You can’t train them! You’re not experienced enough!”
Until I recognised that it’s my inner critic and checked the facts.
I checked the criteria for the role…
>> Needs to understand international audiences. CHECK.
>> Must have worked with senior leaders at all levels. CHECK
>> Must have experience in government-focused work. CHECK.
And on and on and on and on…
Layer and layer of proof that I am, in fact, ideal for this project.
The trick is not to fight that inner critic, that’s never a helpful approach.
Instead, acknowledge it and ask questions that help you uncover the facts.
Detach yourself from the emotion and seek the evidence.
Evidence showing that yes, actually, you CAN do it.
What does your inner critic tell you?
Ask yourself:
Is it true?
(Your inner critic will try and convince you that it is)
What’s the evidence?
(Your inner critic will attempt to make something up!)
Do you know that for a fact?
(Remove yourself from the emotions and assumptions and look for undisputed facts!)
Answer those questions and see what you come up with.
And if you’d like to share any realisations in confidence, let me know. I’d love to hear them.
