Sometimes a book will feel life-changing, but it's never about the book, it's about whether we are ready to receive what it has to tell us. The seeds of ideas can never take root unless we've first prepared the ground
That next book you read about leadership isn't going to change your life.
I know you think it might.
That somewhere in those pages you’ll find the sparkling gem of wisdom that tells you where you've been going wrong all this time.
The paragraph that will help you understand what leadership really means, and why it's not quite been clicking for you.
That one thing you can change about yourself and how you work that will make all the difference.
I know you're hoping you'll turn the page and suddenly all the imposter syndrome, all the uncertainty, all the overwhelm, will just fall away.
But it's not going to happen that way.
You'll pick up some great ideas, of course.
Some shiny new tools to add to your already impressive set of skills.
But a few days after you turn the final page and put that book on the shelf with all the others, you're going to feel no different.
You'll feel just as stuck as you did before.
Just as overwhelmed.
Just as frustrated.
Just as isolated, because you don't know who to talk to about how you feel.
You don't know if anyone else feels the same way.
You don't want to show that you're unsure.
The only thing you'll really feel for certain about is that you must still be doing something wrong.
So, you'll find the next book.
The next podcast.
The next mentor.
The next leadership programme.
You’re missing something important…
It's not about the skills.
You've got all the skills.
It's about you...
I know hearing that probably makes you feel bad.
A momentary clenching in your stomach.
That spiteful voice in the back of your head saying “I told you so.”
But don't feel ashamed.
You are doing the right things.
You're just doing them the wrong way round.
Everything you're learning, there's a reason it's not landing.
You’re forgetting the most important part.
IT’S ABOUT YOU…
Your passion. Your values. Your personality.
Your unique lived experience.
They all combine to create something golden.
Like alchemy.
You're an empathetic, passionate being who got into this business because you believe culture can change lives.
You're committed to helping those around you make the very best work they can with the resources they have.
You believe compassion, respect and collaboration are key to leadership.
The thing that's missing isn't confidence or ability, it's you.
💫 That means tapping into the core of you and understanding what really drives you to do what it is that you do.
💫 It means getting out of your head and into your heart – trusting your inner wisdom and allowing yourself to lead with vulnerability and intuition, not just intellect.
💫 It means leading from the inside out, to find the clarity that helps you apply the words on the page to your own unique leadership style. Revealing what works for you and what you can disregard.
No more bending yourself out of shape to fit what you’ve read. Instead, you can adapt the learning to suit you.
That’s where the magic happens.
If this article resonates with you. If you want to stop feeling like you’re getting something wrong, and you’re ready to explore who you get to be to make the most of everything you’ve learned before, get in touch for more information on Leading on Purpose, my 8-week group coaching programme for compassionate women leaders.
--
This is one of a series of (regular-ish) articles and newsletters about coaching, compassion and culture. If you would prefer to get these notes direct to your inbox, head to annettecorbett.com/links to read more about my work and sign up to my mailing list
Helping overwhelmed women leaders in the arts escape the burnout cycle and unleash their inner awesome so they can practice more compassion in their life and leadership without cracking up, giving up, or compromising their core beliefs