Trusting Yourself

I want to talk about something close to my heart this month—trusting yourself and not letting others convince you that you’re not good at something, especially in the workplace.

I’ll share a personal story that taught me this lesson the hard way.

At one point in my career, I had two managers who constantly criticized my management skills. They told me I couldn’t give clear directions, didn’t follow up enough, and that while my team liked me, they didn’t want to report directly to me. I took this feedback to heart and, no matter how many management classes I attended, I always felt like I was falling short.

For a long time, I carried that belief around with me, doubting myself. I thought, “Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”

But everything changed when those managers left the company, and I began managing my team directly. I applied what I had learned from the classes, but this time I trusted my own instincts. The results? The feedback was incredible. My team not only understood what was expected of them, but they also thrived under my leadership. There was no more confusion, and I held them accountable in a way that built trust and respect.

The morale of the team soared, and so did my confidence.

The lesson? Never let someone else define your potential. It’s important to listen to feedback, but only you truly know what you are capable of achieving. Sometimes, the people critiquing you have their own interests at heart, or they might just be wrong.

Yes, it’s crucial to trust your teammates and managers, but don’t allow their opinions to overshadow what you know to be true about yourself. In the end, the best decisions are made when you trust your gut and do what’s right for your company from the heart.

You’ve got this.

Until next time,

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—has anyone ever doubted you and been wrong? Hit reply and share your story!