Month: October 2024

Starting Leaders – Don’t Fall For the Power Paradox.

Have you ever watched a colleague get promoted to team lead, only to see them change?

They start off grounded, empathetic, and fair. Then, slowly, that openness starts to fade. They seem less interested in feedback. More impulsive. And the empathy? It’s like it vanished.

Sound familiar? This change isn’t unique—it’s a trap nearly every leader risks falling into.

This is the 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘅, a term coined by psychologist Dacher Keltner.

And now it gets interest: it doesn’t just impact “other leaders.” 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙤𝙤.

The Power Paradox concept explains how, as leaders gain power, they often lose the very qualities that like respect and trust that led them to power. Keltner’s research shows that power affects the brain, triggering dopamine and sparking a “high” that can become addictive.

While it feels great, it also blunts social awareness, turning focus inward and making self-serving decisions feel “right.”

If you’re a leader, don’t assume you’re immune— 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 is the key to avoiding this trap.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘁:

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Empathy fades fast with power. Keep listening, and make a habit of asking your team what they really need. Adopt a regular ‘Loving/Kindness’ meditation practice to increase empathy.
𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Power can make people reluctant to be honest. Show your team that you genuinely value their insights, not just their agreement.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱: Real leadership is about serving others. Focus on the team’s success and growth, not just your own.
𝗣𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Power drives impulsive decisions. Before you make a call, take a breath. Ask yourself: who does this really serve?

The Power Paradox is real, and it can sneak up on anyone. Stay aware, and protect the qualities that make you a true leader.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗽. ⬆

Progress, not Perfectionism

Dear fellow-perfectionists: it’s not a strength, it’s a way of seeking approval.

In job interviews, people often humblebrag about their biggest weakness being perfectionism. It sounds like a hidden strength, doesn’t it?

Only, it’s not.

We tell ourselves, “I care a lot about my work. When I do something, I want it done right!”.

But deep down, there is small voice saying, “If I don’t do everything perfectly, people won’t value me. I feel like my worth depends on how flawless my work is. I’m scared of making mistakes—what if they stop respecting or liking me?”.

It’s great to work hard and aim for high quality. Those are good things.

But when perfectionism takes over, it can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout. Research shows that perfectionism can actually make it harder to reach our goals.

As leaders, we might notice team members who push themselves too hard, striving for impossible standards. At first glance, we might think, “Great! This person delivers quality.” But in the long run, it’s not good for them or the team because it’s not sustainable.

We can help by encouraging them to focus on progress, not perfection, and by reminding them that mistakes are part of learning.

So, how to find the line between doing good work and falling into perfectionism?

Set high goals without making them impossible or taking over our lives.
Focus on making progress instead of being perfect.
Ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing really making my work better, or am I stuck on tiny details that don’t add much value?”.

As Tony Robbins says, “perfectionism is the lowest possible standard – because it’s impossible to attain”.

Mistakes are part of learning. They’re not signs that you’re not good enough but chances to grow and improve.

Perfectionism self-development

How to Deal With Fear

Why Does “The Cave You Fear Hold the Treasure You Seek”?

I recently discovered this quote by Joseph Campbell in one of Brené Brown’s inspiring books: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.“

While reading it, I felt a strong ‘YES’! Because it captures how I’ve been trying to live the past few years.

For much of my life, I was quite shy, insecure, introverted. I felt trapped in an invisible cage of my own making. My dark cave contained many things—speaking up in groups, starting conversations with strangers, facing rejection, saying no to social invitations, or choosing work that aligned with my dreams, to name a few. Actually, mine was more of a giant storage hall than a cave.

Then, one day, after a profound personal experience, I began to see fear for what it is—just a feeling, like any other. Nothing more.

Fear has its place; without it, we wouldn’t survive. But there’s a difference between fear that signals real danger and self-limiting fear that holds us back.

So, I decided to do something uncomfortable every day. And slowly, my comfort zone has been expanding.

The treasure I found? Freedom and connection.

I left the safety of my previous career to now spending my days doing what I love. I’ve connected with so many interesting people by initiating a conversation. I no longer feel bad about expressing my opinions, expressing my needs, or saying no to things that don’t serve me.

Sure, there are still things that make me uncomfortable. But I choose to face them, and it gets easier every time.

Here are the steps I took, which you can do:

Identify Your Cave: List the things that scare you, but aren’t dangerous. These are your self-limiting fears.
Take Small Steps: Start small. Say hello to someone new. Share an idea in a meeting.
Embrace Discomfort: Discomfort is temporary and a sign of growth.
Reflect on Progress: Keep track of your experiences, and see your comfort zone expand.

Now, reading my progress log makes me smile. Some years years ago, saying, “Siri, play next song,” in a public place was something I struggled with.

This week, I’ll be speaking about leadership at public event.

Fear is still there—but it’s no longer in charge.

anxiety coaching Leadership

Month: October 2024

Starting Leaders – Don’t Fall For the Power Paradox.

Progress, not Perfectionism

How to Deal With Fear

info@davidbuirs.com

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