Ep 52: Overcoming the Habit of Playing Small

Are you holding yourself back from stepping fully into your leadership potential? Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at DisruptHR Tampa, where I joined other senior leaders in a high-energy event that pushed us out of our comfort zones. Witnessing how others pushed past their nerves to “play big” was a powerful reminder of how impactful it is to rise above fear in pursuit of our goals.

In this episode, I dive into the concept of “playing small” and how it limits leaders who want to grow but feel constrained by self-doubt or fear. Drawing from my own experiences, I’ll share insights on how leaders can break free from these internal restrictions to fully embrace their capabilities. I’ll also explore why we sometimes choose to play small, how this behavior manifests, and practical steps to shift from feeling limited to taking bold, decisive action.

What You’ll Learn In Today’s Episode:

  • Why even accomplished leaders may shrink back from opportunities.
  • How to identify if you’re unknowingly holding yourself back.
  • Practical strategies to grow beyond comfort zones.
  • The power of small, calculated risks to build self-confidence and resilience.
  • Aligning your goals with a greater mission for more significant impact.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“Playing small by definition is not about your actual ability, but rather it's an internal limit that we place on ourselves.” – Elisia Keown Share on X “Confidence is when you actually can go through those uncomfortable moments and have your own back and do it despite some of the uncomfortable feelings.” – Elisia Keown Share on X “It's not just about us {as leaders}—we're also impacting the culture of our team and our broader organization. – Elisia Keown Share on X

Resources In Today’s Episode:

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