Dr. Kara argues leaders over-explain decisions to seek validation rather than serve others. She introduces recognizing inherent value as the first pillar of connected leadership, claiming that letting go of the need to prove worth changed her leadership presence.
I know some of you are thinking, but Dr. Kara, don't we need to explain our decisions? Isn't it good leadership to seek input? Absolutely. But there's a world of difference between explaining to serve others and explaining to serve your ego. There's a difference between seeking input to make better decisions and seeking opinions to validate your worth. Here's what I've learned. The leaders who feel the most need to prove their worth are often the ones who deserve to be there the most. We hustle for worthiness precisely because we care so deeply about doing good work. But here's my question for you. How much of your leadership energy goes into proving you belong? Instead of simply belonging? How much time do you spend justifying your decisions instead of confidently making them? I want you to start noticing your own version of that eerie feeling. Maybe it's tension in your shoulders when you're over preparing. Maybe it's that anxious energy when you ask for the fifth opinion on something you already know. Because here's the truth that might make you uncomfortable. Your worth as a leader isn't something that you earn through perfect performance. It's something that you recognize and then live from. This is why recognizing your inherent value is the first pillar of my framework for connected leadership. You can't authentically connect with others while you're secretly trying to prove yourself to them. When I stopped hustling for my worthiness, my entire leadership presence changed.
