[header size=”1″ type=”single”]NO NEED TO PRETEND[/header]

The Secure Leader is confident, not arrogant, authentic, and not pretentious. There is no need to pretend when you know who you are.

It’s a huge mistake when we, as leaders, get confused about these terms. The problem with many leaders today is we think confidence & arrogance are synonyms. I guess it’s good to look at the actual definition of a word to draw a contrast and clear up confusion.

• Confidence – belief in one’s self and abilities.

• Arrogance – offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.

[hr type=”without-line” style=”solid” height=”30″ text=”no”][/hr]

Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.

Proverbs 29:23 MSG

[hr type=”without-line” style=”solid” height=”30″ text=”no”][/hr]

The Secure Leader is confident. It’s easy to follow someone confident. A person who believes in their vision and their ability to achieve it. You must be confident to instill trust and inspire people to follow you to complete your vision and accomplish the goal.

Many leaders have allowed their confidence to morph into an ugly arrogance. An attitude that says I’m better than you, and you should feel lucky you get to be on my team. Arrogance is counterfeit confidence. It drummed up pride to give the insecure leader the feeling that they are confident, and all the while, they have very little confidence and are afraid, so they make a big show of how powerful they are.

[hr type=”without-line” style=”solid” height=”30″ text=”no”][/hr]

Arrogance is counterfeit confidence

[hr type=”without-line” style=”solid” height=”30″ text=”no”][/hr]

The problem is that no one wants to work with them, and the correct set of circumstances will rip off the veil and expose the truth to everyone. Secure Leaders are authentic people who know who they are. They’re confident because they understand their strengths and weaknesses and can acknowledge them without fear, leaving themselves the ability to build a team to get it done.

Insecure Leaders pretend to be so solid and perfect. They crash and burn because they send the message, “I don’t need you.” They end up alone and embarrassed because they spent all that time pretending they were something they weren’t and proved they were over their head.

[hr type=”without-line” style=”solid” height=”30″ text=”no”][/hr]

5 WAYS YOU CAN BE YOURSELF AND BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT

As you can see, the best way to lead is from a place of security and confidence. Just be yourself and believe that you can do it. When you know who you are, there is no reason to pretend.

1. Remember, no one succeeds alone. No one, no matter how individual their success seems, succeeds alone.

2. Get in touch with yourself. – Don’t allow yourself to have a fantasy version of yourself. Be real! If you want to know who you are, ask your family and those close enough to you to tell you the truth. They will be sure to give you some perspective.

3. Be comfortable in your skin. – It’s okay to emulate; it is not okay to duplicate. You may see others do and use things, but remember, God made you unique purposefully, so don’t become them. Learn what makes you, you!

4. Don’t believe your press, whether positive or negative. – Keep your eyes on the goal and off of yourself. Don’t allow the talk of others to affect your confidence or progress.

5. Keep a servant perspective. – When you’re there to serve, you don’t feel the pressure to put on a show for anyone. Serving your team gives them the confidence to succeed, and that confidence will spill back into you because your teams will trust you and will succeed under your leadership.

[hr type= “double-line” style= “solid” height= “30” text=” yes”]GO TO CIRCLE OF SECURITY SERIES: PART FOUR[/hr]