I want to let you in on a little secret today. It’s one not many people know about me.
My secret? I’m not really calm and collected like those around me think I am.
Oh, no… Not at all.
Rather, my mind is a jumbled mess at times.
I’m always trying to calculate what’s going to happen next and trying to figure out how I can prevent the negative outcome I see in my head.
I struggle with understanding money and putting it into the proper buckets.
I look back on past events and beat myself up over them. The grief and guilt is crushing.
I feel like I’m failing…
And I am. And I think we all are.
Yet so very few people know that I feel this way. They look at me and see smiling Joe. They see someone who’s cool under pressure, for the most part.
I put out the pretense that I’ve got it all figured out. I don’t…
Why Leaders Keep Up Pretenses
This is the struggle of leadership. To keep up the pretense we’ve got it all together or to break the wall down and admit our weaknesses.
Far too many leaders believe they have to look like everything’s great, everything’s cool, everything is together. They believe if their teams see anything else, they’ll lose the respect of those they lead.
It’s become an epidemic that’s burning out leaders.
A person can only keep up a facade for so long. You can only keep up appearances for so long before the mask begins to crack.
But so many of us do this. And it hurts the authenticity of our leadership.
It’s Time To Stop With The Pretenses
You know keeping up a false image isn’t good for you. It’s not good for your leadership. And it’s not good for those you lead.
People don’t want leaders who are perfect. They want leaders who are real.
They want leaders who are willing to say “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” when it’s appropriate. They want leaders who will take personal responsibility. They want real.
Let’s promise to begin to get real. Let’s shed the masks we’ve put on ourselves.
When we begin leading with our authentic selves, flaws and all, we begin to lead well.
What’s Your Pretense?
I’ve told you the pretense that I tend to hold up. I want people to think I’m okay, even when I’m not.
You’ve got your pretenses that you’re showing the world. You might not realize it though.
Look at your life today. See what things you’re covering up and giving false pretenses for.
Start today and strip away those false images you’re putting out. Choose to be real and authentic.
Question: Are you willing to rid yourself of the pretenses you put up? Why or why not? Let’s talk about this in the comment section below.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.