shadow

Without doubt,

there would be no faith.

And if no uncertainty,

where is the joy in overcoming?

We all carry doubt.

But doubt is not the enemy we sometimes make it out to be.

Especially when it comes to leadership.

In fact, doubt can serve us if we let it.

How do you perceive doubt?

Is it something to be suppressed or considered?

Suppressing doubt can lead to dogmatism and aggression against anyone who thinks differently.

It becomes a source of pressure. Something we have to control.

That’s why we lash out when someone questions our idea or authority.

Considering doubt means looking at what it’s trying to tell you and deciding how it applies to your decision or actions.

You can move forward knowing you gave your doubt a chance to speak without giving it the last word.

Giving doubt a voice helps keep us balanced, humble and open.

How do you express doubt?

Is it something to be guarded or shared?

Guarding doubt can be helpful in extreme situations but a false confidence is usually counterproductive.

It becomes a point of self-esteem. Something we have to prove.

That’s when people stop talking openly or sharing their ideas.

Letting your doubt be seen means admitting you don’t have all the answers and giving others room for input.

Others can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they don’t have to pretend everything is OK.

We also loosen the grip of the story we might be telling ourselves by letting others speak to our doubt.

Sharing our doubt helps us connect and stay grounded.

How do you apply doubt?

Is it something to be avoided or embraced?

Avoiding doubt by attacking or ignoring the messages it sends us is to lose an important part of our intuition and wisdom.

It becomes a source of shame. Something we have to overcome.

We start labeling doubt as “bad” which creates inner conflict and can lead us to be reckless or judgemental (towards ourselves and others).

Embracing our doubt doesn’t mean giving it authority over our life.

Think of it as learning to appreciate the way our doubts can serve us.

Sometimes doubt will help us question certainties we have built on false beliefs or avoid a decision we will later regret.

Doubt can also energize us. The presence of uncertainty can remind us we are embarking on an exciting and challenging journey.

Embracing our doubt expands our perspective and reminds us to pay attention.

It makes us stronger.

We are only leading in the shadow of doubt when we keep doubt in the shadows.