You and your team will have many different types of self-critical thoughts affecting your confidence. We have covered several in this series, yet there are many more that pop up every day. As you work through conquering these judgmental thoughts, remember, each of you is made up of your own unique combination of characteristics, shaped by past and present experiences.

Thinking that everyone is better than you is a common struggle, shared by many people. Our society has made comparing and competing a lifestyle. From the old saying of “Keeping up with the Jones” to people faking their pictures on social media, we are bombarded with the idea that we need to be as good if not better than the people around us.

When you’re stuck and haven’t reached the goals you are hoping to, it’s common to have the self-judgmental thought that you’ll never improve. You may think you’ll never get better and never get past a certain point.

How can you change the “I’m not enough” thoughts in yourself?

This thought can derail even the best of us because the more we say it to ourselves, the more it causes us to perceive things in a way that back that thought up. It can stem from both comparative and internalized criticism. Reframing this thought takes determination and a willingness to accept positive and negative feedback from others at face value, without looking through the lens of “I’m not enough.”

This month we are diving into something that holds back everyone at some point in their careers; being judgmental of ourselves and those around us. Unfortunately, most leaders may not even know when they are being judgmental because the drive to succeed is often fueled by these thoughts. Judgmental thoughts about yourself and others can be overwhelming. They can consume your day and make it difficult to focus on anything else. When we judge others, it can make us feel like others are judging us too.

Emotions don’t belong in the workplace – or do they? It depends on who you ask! If you ask catabolic leaders, they’re likely to agree. But anabolic leaders have a different point of view – they understand that emotions can’t be left at the office door. Our comparison between anabolic and catabolic leaders continues with an exploration of how aware they are of their own and others’ emotions, how they express their emotions, and how they manage or control them in the work environment.

You may have heard this fable before – but it illustrates a critical difference between anabolic and catabolic leaders. Two people, faced with the same situation, yet having totally different reactions.

Catabolic leaders work in crisis mode. They put out fires and deal with issues as they arise. This reactivity leads to stress, lack of focus, and a non-productive, frenzied type of atmosphere. They don’t think much about where they’re headed, and even if they do, the “big picture” gets lost in the demands of the moment.

This week, let’s look at two other aspects of leadership - how information is passed along to others and how (and if) anabolic and catabolic leaders assess themselves – to further see the difference between the two types of leaders.

How well you lead depends on your level of consciousness or energy. Higher levels of anabolic energy are associated with more effective leadership. Anabolic energy is building energy, and whether in the workplace or at home, great leaders build relationships, teams, families, and businesses. On the other hand, catabolic energy is destructive. And catabolic leaders destroy and break down everything around them.