As a new leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of equating your work with your worth. You’re putting in the hours, driving results, and making decisions, but what happens when you’re not getting ahead as fast as you want or when you experience failure? That’s when the internal dialogue starts creeping in: “Can I do this?” or worse, “Am I good enough?” This kind of thinking is exhausting and damaging. But here’s the truth: your worth isn’t determined by your output or your success. It’s crucial to understand the difference between the work you do, your results, and the value you inherently bring to the table, especially when things aren’t going as planned.
You need to understand this important point so you don’t succumb to burnout, lose confidence, and lose your healthy perspective when setbacks occur.
What Does ‘Work vs. Worth’ Mean?
Let’s break it down. Your work is the effort you put into your job—your tasks, projects, responsibilities, and goals. Your worth, on the other hand, is the value you inherently bring to the table. It’s your perspective, your unique skills, your ability to lead and inspire, and the way you support and uplift others.
For new managers and leaders, there’s often a tendency to think that unless you’re constantly “doing” something, you’re not proving your value. This belief can become a huge roadblock. Leaders who define themselves solely by their work tend to overlook the bigger picture: their strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and ability to foster team dynamics are far more valuable in the long run.
Why This Matters for New Leaders
If you’re in a new leadership role, separating your worth from your work is critical for your long-term success and well-being. When you believe your value comes from what you produce rather than who you are, you start making decisions based on short-term outcomes. This can mean saying “yes” to every task, avoiding delegation, and over-committing, all of which can lead to stress and overwhelm. No thank you!
Leaders who focus only on their output tend to miss opportunities to grow their team’s capabilities, build stronger relationships, and develop as a leadership. Leadership isn’t about getting every task done; it’s about guiding and empowering your team. Remember, your job is to lead, not to do it all yourself.
Who Needs to Hear This?
If you’ve recently stepped into a leadership role, this message is for you. New supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders are especially vulnerable to tying their self-worth to their ability to meet goals, complete tasks, or appear busy.
I think of Emma, an audience member who approached me after a keynote. She described being promoted to team lead after only a year in her company. She felt like she constantly had to prove herself, so she took on more work than she could handle. She got so overwhelmed being buried in the day-to-day tasks because she thought she had to “do more” to be seen as valuable, but in reality, her worth wasn’t in the extra hours she put in. It was in her ability to support her team and think strategically because that’s where her gifts shined the most!
You might also consider mentors or senior leaders who understand the bigger picture. Having someone who can remind you that leadership is not just about output but about outcomes can be invaluable.
How to Start Seeing Your True Worth
Shifting your mindset from “work equals worth” takes time, but the good news is that you can begin this process now. Here are three actionable steps you can take to start shifting your mindset:
- Make a list of your inherent strengths. Think beyond your job description. What do you bring to the table that’s not about the tasks you complete? Maybe it’s your ability to stay calm under pressure or your skill in navigating difficult conversations. These are the qualities that make you a leader, not just a worker.
- Delegate a task that doesn’t need your direct involvement. Pick one thing on your to-do list that can be handled by someone else on your team. Not only does this free up your time for strategic thinking, but it also shows you trust your team. Delegation is a powerful leadership tool.
- Schedule a conversation with your mentor or a trusted colleague. Ask them to help you see the bigger picture when it comes to your leadership role. Discuss ways you can focus more on leading and less on just doing. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, so having someone hold you accountable for your growth as a leader can be a game changer.
What can you do now?
A great question! Within the next 48 hours, take a step back from the tasks on your plate and really look at the impact you’re making. Write down five non-task-related contributions you bring to your team. Maybe it’s the way you support your colleagues, your unique perspective, or your ability to lead with empathy. Stop defining your value by your output.
It’s time to start recognizing your worth as a leader—not for what you do, but for who you are and how you influence those around you. You are so valuable beyond your work.