trying to look perfect

Let’s be honest, most of us have mastered the fine art of looking like we’ve got it all together.

We nod thoughtfully in meetings, casually drop words like “synergy,” and pretend we weren’t up at 2 am Googling, “how to lead with confidence without stressing out and crying in the bathroom.”

But beneath the polish? We’re often protecting ourselves.Protecting against the fear of being seen as not enough, not smart enough, not successful enough, not “leader-y” enough. So we strive for perfection, wear competence like a badge of honour, and hope no one notices the wobble behind the smile.

Dr. Pippa Grange nails it in Fear Less:

“When we live from fear of not being enough, we wear a mask of achievement. But that mask distances us from meaning, belonging, and real success.”

And here’s the kicker: that pursuit of perfection? It’s exhausting. Worse, it keeps us from the things we’re really craving: connection, growth, and the freedom to lead in a way that’s real and true to ourselves.

The good news? You can drop the mask.

It’s perfectly human to feel this way. But that fear-driven front gets in the way of workability, which is the heartbeat of true leadership. When we stop performing and start showing up as humans, that’s when real leadership begins.

If that resonates, maybe it’s time for a different kind of conversation that starts not with perfection but with honesty, vulnerability… and connection—the pathway to real change and performance.

Lifes Good

Clint