You're Doing Great

If you are a leader in a large organisation, there is a good chance most of the formal attention you receive is on your gaps.

Personal Development Plans focus on what needs improving. Performance reviews often spend more time on what was missed than what was delivered. Talent conversations are full of language about readiness, stretch, risk and development.

All of that has its place.

But it can quietly distort how you see yourself.

Here's my view.

If you are a leader in a large organisation, you are doing great.

You do not get into these roles by accident. You do not stay in them unless you are adding value. Whether you are seen as a dependable backbone leader, or someone clearly earmarked for progression, you are already operating at a level most people never reach.

As you read this, pause for a moment.

Reflect on what you have already achieved and delivered this year.

• What are you proud of?

• What can you do now that you could not do this time last year?

• What are you genuinely excellent at?

• What do others value in you, even if they do not always say it out loud?

• Who would feel your absence if you took a new job tomorrow?
  

These questions matter.

Driving on and getting even better is important. In my view, it is part of the deal of leadership. Growth, learning and raising the bar never stop.

But improvement does not require self-criticism. Development does not require you to undervalue yourself. Ambition does not mean ignoring your strengths.

In fact, the strongest leaders I work with are able to hold two things at the same time. A clear commitment to getting better and a healthy appreciation of how far they have already come.

There is another reason this matters.

How you see yourself sets the tone for your people.

If you constantly downplay your strengths, they will do the same.If you only focus on gaps, they will learn to see themselves through that lens.If you never pause to acknowledge progress, neither will they.

Noticing and celebrating your strengths is not arrogance. It is leadership. It models confidence without ego.It creates permission for others to recognise their own capability.

So yes, keep pushing. Keep learning. Keep stretching yourself.

And also take a moment to recognise this simple truth.

You are doing great.

Exec Ready is our suite of bespoke programmes designed to help individuals and leadership teams perform at their very best in executive roles, as part of the C-Suite and at Board level.