three lies I believed
Leadership failure has a soundtrack, and it’s not kind. It’s lonely at the top of an organization, of a department, of a team. And the internal voice tends to focus on the negative.
After I lost my job, three lies played on repeat in my mind:
I am what I do.
This is the end of my story.
I’ve failed. What will people think?
Each one cut deep. Each one felt true in the moment.
But over time, as I sat still, talked it over, reached out to God, I discovered a deeper truth: My value doesn’t come from a role, it comes from the intrinsic value from the people that matter most . . . my family, close friends, my God.
If you’ve been let go, passed over, or forced out, let me encourage you: the lies you hear in the dark don’t define your future. The truth does.
And the truth is, you are still called. Still loved. Still in process. Still growing. In life, you are either growing or dying. I prefer growth.
Three thoughts to replace the three lies:
You are much more than what you do. Make no mistake, your career, your calling, your job certainly is a part of who you are, but it is not the only thing. Find the other things that define you. If you’re struggling with that, ask some close family and friends.
Look back to learn how to move forward. Not too many people have a liner path in life, without twists, turns, or detours. You survived that, you will survive this. In most cases, you’ve likely thrived because of it.
Who cares what other people think? Really, the people that know you best, that care about you the most know who you are and only want the best for you. By the way, this is a tough one and may need daily doses.
Failure may whisper lies, but it doesn’t define your worth. Your story isn’t over, it’s being rewritten. Growth comes from recognizing your value beyond a title, learning from the past, and focusing on what truly matters: the people and purpose that give life meaning.
