The most powerful competitive edge you can have as a leader is…

Happiness is the only human feeling that we don’t want to move on from. I remember reading that and thinking, absolute right, who thinks, well I’ve had enough happiness for today. Happiness and self-worth are the ultimate keys to a good life. Leadership follows so beautiful from them both. You don’t have to push, or over perform or pretend to be someone you aren’t.

Self-worth is the most powerful competitive edge you can have as a leader. You can fake confidence as so many do but it will use so much of your energy and in all honesty, everyone will see through you. Humans are designed to read each other to a minute detail so you can rarely pull the wool over your team’s eyes. Self-worth in a leader is something visible and tangible.

I use executive therapy and business coaching with some of the most externally successful people. I can feel when they sit in front of me which have self-worth and which don’t. It radiates from them. Instantly know if we are looking at pursuing further growth or if we are going to be working therapeutically to put in that self-worth before we can grow.

They don’t chase anyone’s approval, but they respect others’ opinions. However if a decision needs to be made they will make it and normally they have the full support of their team because that decision comes from a strong resilient place. These people don’t dominate even if they have the power to do so.

Self-worth changes everything.

It’s what lets you walk away from deals that don’t align with your personal values.

It’s what stops you from hiring someone because they like you.

It’s what lets you take downtime and rests when you need them. You come first and because of this you have so much energy and care to pass to others.

So, self-worth is when you have cleared all those internal systems that stop you believing that you are worthy of what you want and that your true worth is entirely within yourself. You feel good no matter what is happening in your external world (give or take some high stress events!). You don’t win the deal, no matter, you’ll find another. The person you like dumps you, no matter, someone who sees your value will be alone soon. Your kids say they hate you, you’ll live to parent another day. You can admit your mistakes.

When you have self-worth, it’s likely happiness will follow quickly and with that a powerful leadership strategy. Leadership becomes innate. Your energy becomes calmer. Your presence stronger. Your team and family trust you because you’re centred and secure.

In a noisy brash world full of insecurity wrapped in a fake façade, grounded, calm, present self-worth is magnetic.

It’s rare and will help you stand out in everything that you do, bringing your whole world into alignment.

So, how happy are you?