There are times as a leader when your balance can feel way off. Like you’ve drifted from who you really are as a person, perhaps picking up things from other leaders who appear successful and imitating them. Then one day or week you have a number of stressful events happen – maybe there’s a big issue at work, a series of difficult conversations, or a conflict with a valuable peer.

Under the heavy weight of the stress, you give out. You throw in the towel on the persona you’ve been trying to maintain for so long, and have one of the most personally authentic leadership moments. Has this happened to you?

It’s time to get back to being me.

Who you are is how you lead.

Sometimes not at first, it might feel like there’s too much on the line, it’s risky. “I need to be strong, direct, and involved in everything.” You might feel an overwhelming pressure to succeed, to be liked, to perform, and to conform. Whether you’re a newly minted manager, or a seasoned exec – how do you want to be?

What are two ways to see if you’re leading the way you want to be known for?

1 // Simply ask people, “what am I known for?”, and “what do you see when I’m at my worst?” Seriously, just try this with 3 people you trust.

2 // Check in with yourself every day for 2 weeks, “were there any moments today where I didn’t show up the way I wanted to?” What happened? Write it all down.

I’ve heard lots of people saying they felt “more like themselves” as they entered their 30’s, their 40’s, and 50’s, etc. (I’ve said the same.) With regular reflection, you will be you, sooner.

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Here are a few resources worth checking out, that I’ve been sharing with clients lately:

1 // An obsession with productivity will ruin your life. (2 hr podcast/video)

2 // Learning new things is hard, so here’s to starting small, building reps, and practicing in low-risk scenarios. (<20 min podcast)

3 // Viola Davis tells us that all artists have imposter thinking. (3 min video)