Proving yourself and serving a purpose: how to make a difference as a leader
By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success
There's a young executive I'll call John. John was a rising star, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. He was driven by an insatiable need to prove his worth, to demonstrate his intelligence and indispensability. He was always chasing the horizon, seeking the next big win, the next validation of his value. But this constant proving game led him to a state of burnout. He was running on fumes, his life a blur of meetings, reports, sleepless nights and a fraction of himself with his family outside of working hours.
John's story is not unique. Many of us fall into the trap of constantly trying to prove our worth. We believe that our value is tied to our achievements, our intelligence, our ability to outperform others. But this is a dangerous game. It's like running on a treadmill that's always speeding up. No matter how fast you run, you never get anywhere. You're always chasing the horizon and don’t realize that there’s no “there” there. You are never able to rest, to enjoy the fruits of your labor because there’s always a higher mountain to climb and a faster climber to catch.
You’ll do this until you lose your grip and fall hard.
So, how do you escape this proving ground before you fall and hit rock bottom? It might sound fluffy, but it’s some of the hardest work a leader can do… the key is to shift your focus from proving your worth to serving a purpose. Here are some tips to help you make that shift and climb the biggest mountain of your career:
Identify your purpose: What are you passionate about? What gives your work meaning? When you're driven by a purpose, you're not just working for the sake of working. You're working towards something that matters to you.
Serve others: Instead of trying to prove how smart or incredible you are, focus on how you can serve others. This can be as simple as helping a colleague with a difficult task or as complex as leading a team to achieve a common goal.
Practice self-care: Burnout is a sign that you're not taking care of yourself. Make sure to prioritize your health and well-being. This can include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and time for relaxation and hobbies.
Seek advice: Instead of seeking validation, seek advice. This can help you grow and improve, and it can also help you stay grounded. Remember, advice is not about proving your worth, it's about learning and growing from others around you.
You are more than your achievements. You are a person with unique talents, passions, and experiences. Don't let the proving game define you and drive you. Instead, focus on serving a purpose and making a difference. That's where true value lies.
