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The Leadership Identity Crisis – Who Are You When You're Not Proving Yourself?

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In this deeply personal solo episode of Leading You, Julie unpacks a quiet but powerful crisis many high performers face: the moment they realise they’ve become a stranger to themselves.

This isn’t just about burnout. It’s about identity. About tying our worth to achievement, KPIs, and how much we can juggle without falling apart.

Julie shares her own story of hitting that wall—and the uncomfortable but life-changing reflection that followed. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I when I’m not delivering, achieving, or proving?”—this episode is for you.

Whether you’re in a season of change, navigating self-doubt, or simply feeling disconnected from your leadership voice, this is a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and reset.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The subconscious patterns that keep high achievers in proving mode
  • Why leadership burnout is more about disconnection than capacity
  • What happens when you outgrow your identity—but keep wearing the same jacket
  • The real cost of shrinking to fit outdated versions of yourself
  • The power of pressing pause and asking: Who am I now?
  • Practical prompts to help you reconnect with your true leadership identity
  • Why clarity creates courage—and how to find yours

 

Episode Timestamps:

  • 00:00 – Introduction and episode context
  • 01:00 – The dangerous link between achievement and identity
  • 02:15 – Why high performers get stuck in the “doing equals value” loop
  • 03:45 – The moment I realised I didn’t know myself outside of my work
  • 05:00 – How proving becomes a silent addiction for many leaders
  • 06:30 – The concept of “oversized jackets” and outdated self-images
  • 08:15 – When we outgrow roles but stay because of fear or guilt
  • 09:30 – The emotional and energetic cost of shrinking to fit
  • 10:45 – What happens when we finally press pause and reflect
  • 11:30 – The questions I asked to reconnect with my leadership self
  • 12:15 – How clarity gives you the courage to choose differently
  • 13:00 – Shifting from performance to presence in leadership
  • 14:00 – A call to stop apologising for outgrowing where you are
  • 15:00 – Wrap-up, reflection prompt, and next steps

 

Links:
Get the Clarity Compass Mini Program

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

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