Self Esteem and Leadership

How closely is your self esteem and leadership career success linked? Here's a story of one of my client's whose self-esteem limited his performance. (Obviously names have been changed)

Steve had several people reporting to him and his business unit was performing pretty well. In fact, Steve was fairly confident that he would receive a promotion within the next six months.

This was a particularly busy time for Steve's team with several major projects on the horizon. A vacancy in his team had come up, and it was important to fill it quickly. Steve needed someone that he could depend upon, who had proven success at project management. Steve thought he knew just the man for the job - Pierre - a fellow he had worked with at his previous company.

Pierre had always been a good solid performer, if somewhat lacking in self-confidence. But he had never let Steve down and Steve felt that this job would be just the right stepping stone for Pierre's career.

Certainly the job was bigger than the one Pierre was currently in, but Steve was certain that Pierre would be up for the challenge, particularly with his support and guidance as Pierre's leader. So Steve approached Pierre and asked him to apply for the role.

During the selection process several of the recruiters spoke to Steve about their concerns at Pierre's seeming lack of confidence. Each time, Steve brushed aside their concerns with a "Trust me, Pierre will be fine, he's a great performer, he's solid, reliable and can be counted upon". Eventually Pierre was offered the role.

Given the pressures they were under Steve and his team were keen for Pierre to start within the month. But that wasn't to be. There was a two month delay whilst Pierre tidied up some personal issues. Steve assured his team, that even though it was longer than they'd like the delay would be worth it as Pierre was terrific.

The day before Pierre was due to start, Steve received a phone call: "Look mate, I'm sorry, but I don't think this job is right for me. I've given it a lot of thought and I don't think I can do it. Sorry to let you down, I know you went out on a limb for me".

It Was The Beginning of A Hit to Steve's Self Esteem and Leadership Strength

Steve was aghast. Thoughts raced through his mind like speeding bullets, each thought was like a knife stabbing him:

• How could Pierre do this to him? Yes, indeed, he had gone out on a limb convincing his peers that Pierre would be right, taking on extra work as he held things together during the two month delay.
• What would people think? This whole situation was going to reflect badly on him. He would be a laughing-stock.
• What would his manager think? He had let Steve know, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn't confident in his choice. But he would abide by Steve's decision
• What was he going to do? He would loose credibility and confidence with his peers and his leadership team. This whole situation was going to reflect badly on him.

And in that moment he let Pierre have it, full barrels blazing. He was angry and upset and he certainly had no empathy for Pierre's needs or situation.

Oops, excuse me sir but your lack of self-esteem and leadership strength is showing!

In that moment Steve's focus was completely on his own needs and certainly not on where Pierre was at. And her certainly wasn't being the greatest of leaders.

Whoops - Low Self Esteem and Leadership Goes Out The Door

We've all had moments similar to this. Moments when, because of your very association with a person, you've felt embarrassed or ashamed because the other person's actions (you feel) reflect badly on you. (Ever seen a parent in a supermarket trying to deal with a child having a hissy fit?).

When you are concerned about what 'they' will think, you are showing in flying colors exactly how high/low your self-esteem and leadership strength is.

As a leader, there has been, and no doubt will be many more, times when people you rely upon let you down or goof up. It is a measure of your self-esteem as to how you handle the event.

A person with low self-esteem will be highly concerned about the opinions of their reference group and less concerned about the person who has made the mistake. Consequently if someone goofs up you are more likely to have a volatile reaction. You're probably going to be more focused on your own needs, and desires to look good than the needs of the person/(s) whose actions you're embarrassed by.

With Steve's first thoughts travelling to what others would say and their impressions of him and his angry response to Pierre you could possible guess that his self-esteem and leadership skills needs some more work.

With better self esteem and leadership, Steve's response might be more along the lines of disappointment at Pierre's decision. Instead of focusing on his own disappointment he would have worked to understand and support Pierre. Rather than spending time attempting to 'save face' and being caught up in the negative emotions of anger and embarrassment, he might have quickly moved into problem solving.

In fact, he may have been able to work with Pierre to understand what caused him to have wobbly feet, and may have even been able to help him overcome his fears and begin the new job!

Final Comments On Your Self-esteem and Leadership

When you do the inner work of strengthening your inner world, having an internal confidence and certainty about who you are as a person, you will find that your leadership with become far more graceful and heartfelt. You lead more meaningfully and authentically, releasing the potential of not only yourself but also the people who surround you.

Do yourself and everyone else around you a favor ... continually grow your self esteem and leadership so that you bring out the best in yourself.