Sometimes, I think I can save some money and “do it myself.” This is usually when my long-time friends say, “Keep him away from power tools.” Yes, I cut the phone lines once while digging in my yard. And yes, I ruined a dimmer switch I was installing when I shorted it out. The sparks were spectacular.

Sometimes, though, it could be good to short-circuit something that is slowing us down or is detrimental to our leadership. Self-doubt is one of those things. Most of us in leadership have experienced that feeling when facing monumental challenges. In fact, the challenges don’t even have to be monumental. Sometimes, they are just relentless…day after day, week after week. And we wonder if we can handle it.

When that self-doubt goes to the extreme, it can become what is known as imposter syndrome. That term was created in the late 1970s to describe people who doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” The impact of that can immobilize a leader, making them indecisive, and can end up short-circuiting their ability to lead.

Pastor and speaker Craig Groeschel says leadership comes down to a person’s understanding of who they really are. Groeschel often speaks at the Global Leadership Summit, yet he says he has experienced this kind of doubt. He says, “The biggest force that shapes your leadership actions is actually your identity.” If that is not firmly fixed in your mind, you begin to doubt. Groeschel says we should “short-circuit” our self-doubt, and he offers a suggestion on how to do it.

Craig Groeschel encourages leaders to write their leadership identity statement. That statement is based on asking yourself two key questions:

  1. What kind of leader am I?
  2. What kind of leader do I want to become?

Your answers to these questions may help you come up with a written statement like these examples:

  • I am a compassionate leader who deeply loves people.
  • I’m an empowering leader who brings out the best in others.
  • I’m a disciplined leader who always prioritizes the day.

These kinds of statements incorporate a realistic look at who you are with a strong desire for who you want to become.

For the Christian, we look to Jesus and base our identity on Him. We have His promises that He is with us always. When we are in His will, the Lord enables us to accomplish His purpose for His glory. In many ways, it takes the pressure off of us to be the world’s greatest leader and reminds us to be a faithful follower of Christ and His ways.

When we face those monumental challenges as we follow the Lord’s direction, we can rely on His promises. After Jesus commissioned His disciples, He promised them, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). All throughout the Bible, God made a promise. To his prophets, He said, “Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27), and underscoring that truth to His disciples, Jesus said, “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

As leaders, we need to examine ourselves to understand how God has made us. Then, we should look to our Lord and remember He has placed us where we are to accomplish His purpose. That is how He has wired us.

God’s best,