The Unexpected Leader

13Self-Sabotage

Now, wouldn't it be something if we spent 12 chapters together, you built up an immense amount of confidence, and you're feeling all good about what you're about to do next and then you start doing the unthinkable? It would be quite a shame if, after all this time and the investment you made in your leadership journey, it all came crumbling down based on some actions that you took.

Well, it happens all the time. We are all prone to self-sabotage, which is when we engage in behavior that goes against our wider goals and values. Self-sabotage isn't something that's always intentionally done. It actually happens word by word, phrase by phrase, and situation by situation, often unknowingly.

My job in this chapter, and quite frankly my role throughout the rest of our relationship together, both in this book and beyond, is not only to provide you with actionable leadership tips, tools, and resources but also to ensure that you are doing your part to self-monitor and not self-sabotage. I don't want you to unwind all of the good work you've done to become (more) confident and to be proficient at your current level of leadership and move to your next level.

Before we take action on learning how to recognize self-sabotage and how to avoid it, let's first understand why it happens to us.

Imagine you recently worked on a high-visibility project and you did all the things you needed to do as a leader. You led impeccably, you let others' light shine bright alongside yours, ...