We spend so much time trying to improve ourselves that we don’t really stop to question whether we’re going about it in the right way.
We often think growth comes from adding more, or even removing what isn’t useful any more. And this can work beautifully when it’s done with intention; learning new skills, becoming more confident, fixing weaknesses.
But sometimes growth starts somewhere else.
Sometimes it comes from making better use of what’s already there.
As we focus on our growth we naturally begin comparing ourselves with the people around us. We borrow behaviours that seem to bring other people success and look for the so-called “right” way to lead, communicate or make decisions.
Without realising it, we slowly lose touch with what comes naturally to us, and our authentic strengths – the ones which are the easiest to bring – become hidden through comparison, expectation, self-doubt and habit.
Maybe this chimes with you.
Have you become quieter in meetings, because somehow you’ve convinced yourself the louder voices know better than you.
Or perhaps you’ve stopped trusting your judgement because your role is more visible and the stakes feel higher.
Uncovering isn’t only about finding something new.
It’s just as often about rediscovering something you’ve lost sight of.
- strengths you’ve underestimated
- curiosity that’s been stifled through the pressures of work
- assumptions you didn’t know you were making
- energy being spent in the wrong place
And usually, buried a layer or two beneath, is what really matters to you
This is something I often explore through leadership coaching, with people navigating career change or stepping into greater responsibility.
It’s about uncovering more of who you already are, then making a conscious choice of what to build on, what to let go of and where to move next.
Sometimes coaching helps you discover strengths you didn’t know you had.
Other times it helps you rediscover the strengths you’ve lost sight of.
A reflection to leave you with:
What strength, quality or instinct have you stopped trusting that might be worth uncovering again?