From Self-Doubt to Thrival: Redefining Leadership and Worth in 2025

I was talking to someone the other day, and I heard them say, "Sometimes I wonder how I can be the one sitting here. I'm not even that smart." That person is a highly respected Chief Executive. The next day, I was with someone else, and they said, "Through most of my career, people always remarked that I was good at coordinating things, but I never saw myself as a leader." That person is now a well-regarded leader in their field, having successfully run their own consultancy and become the go-to expert in their industry. These conversations reminded me of another person I know, who only recently began to recognise their value when they heard others express it in an unsolicited, public forum.

Two of these people were women. Two of these people came from non-dominant cultures. All three had been conditioned to believe that leadership had a certain look, personality type, or "smartness" — traits often expressed loudly or confidently. All three struggled to see their worth because traditional systems consistently recognised a certain type of leadership through promotions, selection processes, and talent management approaches.

How could they compete with that?

A Wake-Up Call

As I sat listening to that impostor Chief Executive, a fire ignited in my belly. It was a visceral reminder of why I started Next Step Leadership and why my work is so important.

That Chief Executive was fortunate — they were noticed by someone (a woman, incidentally) who recognised a different kind of value and encouraged them to pursue opportunities. That senior leader was fortunate too — they decided to try something new and discovered their own brilliance. That third person was fortunate because they had a community that stood in their corner, even when they doubted themselves.

But luck shouldn’t be the determining factor for recognising worth.

Breaking the Mold

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re reflections of a systemic issue: traditional systems often prioritise certain voices, leaving exceptional talent unseen or undervalued.

That’s why I’m passionate about challenging the status quo and helping people redefine what leadership and success mean on their own terms. This is the driving force behind the Thrive in '25 campaign.

It’s time to ask ourselves:

• Who gets to determine what thriving in 2025 means for me?

• Who gets to define success in my life?

• Who gets to say what leadership and worth look like?

Turning Self-Doubt into Thrival

These stories are powerful reminders: leadership and worth aren’t about how loudly you speak — they’re about the unique value you bring to the table. But far too often, we struggle to see that value because the world tries to tell us what success should look like.

If these stories resonate with you, I invite you to join me at one of our upcoming Thrive in '25 webinars.

Together, we’ll unpack these challenges, redefine success, and create a personalised roadmap to thrive — not just survive — in 2025.

👉 Reserve Your Spot Now — Spaces Are Limited!