A Look in the Mirror

A Look in the Mirror

Have you ever wished you were someone else? Have you ever tried to be someone else?

As the saying goes, “Been there. Done that.”

None of us is exempt from this nagging reality of life.

But this reality (and its impact) is amplified in the life of a leader.

In a word, as a leader, you’ve got to be yourself—comfortable and secure with who you are.

Regrettably, personal security isn’t a high-profile topic in the leadership literature; but from my seat and experience, it should be. Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll said it well: This reminds me of something about which too little has been said. I can think of few ingredients more foundational to being a good leader than knowing oneself—and accepting oneself—and feeling secure about oneself inside one’s own skin. The scene is nothing short of tragic when an insecure person is given a leadership responsibility.

Need a little convincing? Take a look at the Old Testament storyline of King Saul’s intense jealousy of David due to his over-the-top battlefield scorecard. It’s extreme. It’s not pretty.

And unfortunately, it’s all too common.

In short, leaders who possess personal security are at peace with who God has created them to be. They choose daily to lean into the truth of Romans 12:6: In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. These leaders see themselves as uniquely created by God—a work of art, an original masterpiece. They are anchored and at home with who they are.

Leaders who possess personal security are at peace with who God has created them to be.

As you scan the horizon of your own personal security, how are you doing?

Here are a few KPIs to assist you in your assessment:

• Do I know and accept my strengths?

• Do I know and accept my limitations?

• Do I celebrate the accomplishments of those with whom I work?

• Do I intentionally make room for the contributions of those more gifted than myself?

• Do I freely offer up words of affirmation for those in my leadership circle?

• Do I pave the way for others to pass me by? 

From there, I’d encourage you to take your personal security appraisal one step further by asking a close friend to offer a candid perspective.

While each of us from time to time will be enamored by the abilities of others, there is arguably no greater gift you give to those you lead than knowing who you are, accepting who you are, and being who you are.

There is arguably no greater gift you give to those you lead than knowing who you are, accepting who you are, and being who you are.

At the end of the day, it’s fundamental to leading with your life.

Chuck Olson
Founder | Lead With Your Life