Barriers to Sharing

If you are a leader who hasn’t shared their story, you might relate with the following reasons you prefer not to share:

Maybe you don’t see the value of your story. In your eyes, your failures stand out more than your successes, or you downplay your own success - perhaps there were more lateral moves than upward moves. Or you're too close to your own life events to see how far you've come. All that’s in front of you is the promotion you’re fighting for, not realizing how much guidance you can provide to the next generation.

Maybe you feel that leadership is best left to those who made it to the top or a task for those who achieved all of their goals. But your story of how you got to where you are right now is immensely valuable to those on their way up. You don’t have to lead anyone to the top, but you can help them navigate the road ahead. You may be 3, 5, 10 or 20 years into your career. You’re full of wisdom worth sharing to anyone on a similar path!

Maybe highlighting your successes or putting the spotlight on yourself feels uncomfortable, and you’d rather keep your victories and losses behind the scenes. It takes bravery to talk about your story. Highlighting your successes might feel selfish, and admitting your failures might feel embarrassing. But think back to a moment in your life or career where you felt confused, lost, alone and needed help. Imagine if someone shared a story similar to what you’re going through. If that story was about success, you can provide hope to those in the middle of a similar struggle and help them learn what to do. If that story was about a failure, they benefit from your life lessons and now they know what not to do. Beyond learning, the reader will be comforted knowing they are not alone in their struggles.

Maybe you are scared of how sharing your story can impact you professionally, and you’d rather not take that risk. But what if you could share your story anonymously and still help others? Your life’s story is valuable - both to you and to those around you.

If you would like to overcome these barriers!