Introduction

“Being aware of this inner critic and its ability to limit you is an important part of silencing it” –HUMAIRA SYED

Your inner critic is that voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough, that you’ll never succeed, and that you’re a failure.

It’s the voice that makes you doubt yourself and your abilities. As a leader, your inner critic can be especially damaging. It can hold you back from taking risks, making decisions, and leading your team effectively.

How does an inner critic impact leaders?

“If others reject you, don’t join them to reject yourself!”– –Felix A. Duyilemi

An inner critic can impact leaders in a number of ways:

It can make you feel insecure and anxious.

It can prevent you from taking risks and trying new things.

It can make you indecisive and hesitant.

It can lead to burnout and stress.

It can damage your relationships with your team members.

Consider the Following Scenario:

CEOs who are afraid to make a decision because they’re worried about making the wrong one. These CEOs might be afraid that if they make the wrong decision, it will cost the company money or damage their reputation. This fear can prevent them from making any decisions at all, which can paralyze the company.

Manager who avoid taking risks because they’re afraid of failure. The managers might be afraid that if they fail, they’ll be seen as a bad leader and their team members will lose faith in them. This fear can prevent them from taking any risks, which can stifle innovation and growth.

A team leader who is too critical of their team members, which can damage morale. The team leader might be constantly comparing their team members to others and finding fault with their work. This can make the team members feel like they’re never good enough, which can lead to low morale and decreased productivity.

Leaders who are constantly comparing themselves to other leaders, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy. The leader might be constantly looking at what other leaders are doing and feeling like they’re not good enough. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety, which can make it difficult to lead effectively.

If you can relate to any of these examples, it’s a sign that your inner critic is holding you back.

How to overcome your inner critic:

Practice positive self-talk. When your inner critic starts to get to you, replace its negative thoughts with positive ones. Tell yourself that you’re capable, competent, and worthy of success.

” Brain wave tests prove that when we use positive words, our “feel good” hormones flow. Positive self-talk releases endorphins and serotonin in our brain, which then flow throughout our body, making us feel good. These neurotransmitters stop flowing when we use negative words” – Ruth Fishel

Visualize yourself succeeding. Take some time to visualize yourself achieving your goals. This will help you to believe in yourself and your abilities.

“Visualization is daydreaming with a purpose.” Bo Bennett

Reward yourself for your accomplishments. When you achieve a goal, take some time to celebrate your success. This will help you to reinforce positive thoughts about yourself.

“Celebrate little wins. Give yourself a treat!”- –Felix A. Duyilemi

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling to overcome your inner critic on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a therapist or counselor.

“The best advice I can give to anyone going through a rough patch is to never be afraid to ask for help.”- Demi Lovato.

Become aware of your inner critic. The first step to overcoming your inner critic is to become aware of it. Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings that come up when you’re feeling insecure or anxious. What is your inner critic saying to you?

Challenge your inner critic’s thoughts. Once you’re aware of your inner critic, start to challenge its thoughts. Ask yourself if the things your inner critic is saying are true. Are you really a failure? Are you really not good enough?

Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let your inner critic beat you up over them.

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love” – Brene Brown

Focus on your strengths. Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments. When your inner critic starts to get to you, remind yourself of all the things you’re good at.

This post on Self-awareness might help in this regard.

Surround yourself with positive people. The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your self-esteem. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support you.

Seek professional help. If you’re struggling to overcome your inner critic on your own, seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand your inner critic and develop strategies for coping with it. My coaching program can help you wipe out your inner critic

If you want to change your inner conversation, I recommend you read my book, The Power of Your Inner Conversation

Conclusion

Overcoming your inner critic is critical to your success as a leader, and by following the tips above, you can silence your inner critic and become a more confident and effective leader.