As leaders, we often get praised for our expertise, our clarity, and our certainty. People rely on us because we’ve proven ourselves. We know what we’re doing… right?
But what if that very sense of knowing - of being so sure about who we are - holds us back from growing into the leader we need to be next?
This is the essence of what Jennifer Garvey Berger and Zafer Gedeon Achi call the “identity mindtrap.”
Why Identity Can Be a Trap
Our identity is like armor. It protects us. It helps us move with confidence. But over time, it can become heavy and restrictive. Berger and Achi describe how clinging too tightly to our current identity makes us less open to learning, less adaptive, and less curious.
And ultimately leadership is learning. It is adapting. If we want to keep growing, we have to loosen our grip on the leader we think we are.
“I’m a Decisive Leader”... Until I’m Not
Think about the leadership qualities you’re known for. Maybe you’re decisive. Strategic. A visionary. Those are great things. But what happens when the situation calls for a different version of you?
When decisiveness turns into rushing? When vision needs to make space for listening and learning?
Our brains like certainty. It feels good to say, “This is who I am.” But that certainty can keep us stuck. The real work is in embracing uncertainty about ourselves. Getting curious about who we might become next.
Growing Into Who You Could Be
The good news? Growth doesn’t mean throwing out who you are. It’s about making room for more.
- More possibilities.
- More perspectives.
- More ways of leading.
It might feel uncomfortable at first - like shedding skin that no longer fits. But this is the work of modern leadership. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about being open to discovering new ones.
A Question for You
What part of your leadership identity might you be holding too tightly?
And who might you become if you loosened your grip?
If you’d like to challenge yourself and shed some skin that no longer fits or create more possibilities in your leadership then connect with me now.
#RealLeadership #GrowthMindset #CourageousLeadership #AdaptiveLeadership
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