A survey conducted by Robin Pou Inc., a renowned leadership firm, revealed that beneath the leaders’ outer façade of confidence, lies doubt about their abilities. The study shows that such doubts of these are not occasional, but constant companions for over half of them.
This survey takes a big step towards normalizing the Leadership Doubt, it suggests that if leaders have identified and recognized these doubts, they would be able to address and overcome them. At some point, almost all leaders doubt their leadership abilities, according to the Leadership Doubt Index by the company. They are largely concerned with how to handle conflict, create a favourable culture, and be effective amidst change.
However, these uncertainties are not just passing thoughts. This survey indicates that 41% of leaders have considered quitting because of such uncertainties, and 51% of them wondered whether they could retain their leadership in the near future. It is surprising that leaders know the term “imposter syndrome”, which refers to the feeling of uncertainty in how competent one is for a particular role yet almost every leader does not relate to this term.
Moreover, they tend to keep their leadership doubts under wraps, fearing that disclosing them might jeopardize their credibility, make them appear weak, or imply that they lack all the answers. The apparent resurgence of leadership doubt in the present day may be tied to the persistent business uncertainties and the drop in leadership skills training during the pandemic.
In conclusion, the survey results spotlight a gap in leadership training, particularly in areas such as conflict management and culture-building skills. Acknowledging and addressing these doubts can be the key to cultivating more resilient and effective leaders in our ever-evolving professional landscape.
