Leadership is often seen as a position of strength, confidence, and authority. But what happens when a leader secretly struggles with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity?

The truth is that every leader is primarily human and therefore susceptible to feelings of self-doubt as well as questioning the motives and loyalty of those around him. Also, a leader doesn't have all the answers as we often expect.

An insecure leader isn’t a failed leader. He is simply someone in a growth and transformation process.

However, unchecked insecurity can quietly or severely sabotage leadership effectiveness, affecting not just the leader but the entire team or organization.

The leader's unchecked insecurity creates a toxic work environment, lowers team morale, and limits growth and innovation.

1. Strong Sign of Leadership Insecurities

• A strong fear of failure, as this feels like a personal indictment to the leader.

• Feeling a constant pressure to prove oneself.

• Reluctance to delegate for fear of things going wrong or losing control, thereby resorting to team micromanagement.

• A pattern of taking constructive feedback badly or becoming defensive in the face of criticism.

• Feeling threatened by capable team members instead of empowering them

• Seeking excessive validation before making decisions.

  
  

• Resisting new ideas and/or stifling team Creativity or innovation.

If any of these resonate with you, it might be time to address them.

B. Where Does Leadership Insecurity Come From?

• Trauma - A history of early life or workplace criticism, failure, or rejection can lead to deep-seated fear of making mistakes.

• Impostor Syndrome - Some leaders may feel they 'don't belong' or that they aren’t truly qualified for their role despite their skills and experience and successes.

• Lack of effective support network- Leaders who lack trusted advisors or mentors often feel isolated in their position. These trusted mentors could've provided the needed safe space for honest reflection for the leader.

Note that feelings of insecurity don't always show up as a lack of confidence. They often present in subtle behaviours that hurt

leadership effectiveness.

C. The Path to Confident Leadership

• Recognize your insecurities and actively work towards overcoming them.

• Embrace Continuous Learning and invest in mentorship, coaching, and personal development.

• Learn to self regulate, build trust, and handle criticism constructively.

• Trust your team.

• Understand that delegation isn’t weakness. It’s a sign of strong leadership.

• Use feedback as a growth tool, understanding that even the best leaders dont know it all and are continuously evolving.