In this week's episode, I had the privilege of diving deep into the topic of self-acceptance and overcoming the never-ending pursuit of achievement with the incredible Dr. Mandy Lehto. We explored the journey of an overachiever, the struggles of not feeling enough, and the transformative power of self-compassion. Dr. Lehto shared her personal experiences and insights, shedding light on the importance of pausing to self-regulate, accepting our perceived flaws, and finding joy outside of achievement. It was a profound conversation that reminded me of the power of embracing our humanity and finding wholeness beyond the confines of success.
Dr. Mandy Leto is a renowned executive coach and global leadership development expert with over 15 years of experience working with senior executives at top organizations. She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Psychology Today and hosts the highly-ranked Enough podcast. Dr. Mandy's journey from being an overachiever to finding self-acceptance and purpose has shaped her unique approach to leadership development. With her deep understanding of the challenges high achievers face, she brings a compassionate and transformative perspective to her work, helping individuals navigate the complexities of leadership and find fulfillment beyond external achievements.
"The most challenging thing you may ever do is to accept parts of yourself that you feel are unacceptable and unlovable." - Dr. Mandy Leto
This Week on Rising Leader:
· Overachievers often struggle with feelings of not being enough, which can lead to a constant pursuit of achievement and validation.
· The pursuit of achievement can be exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling, as the bar for success keeps rising and the dopamine hit from accomplishments diminishes over time.
· Self-compassion is a powerful tool for transforming self-judgment into self-acceptance. It involves being curious about our feelings, acknowledging them, and finding ways to make ourselves feel better.
· Accepting parts of ourselves that we feel are unacceptable and unlovable can be challenging but is a necessary step towards self-acceptance and growth.
· Pausing to self-regulate when triggered is a superpower. Taking a moment to breathe, gather thoughts, and respond rather than react can lead to more effective and mindful actions.
· It's important to use difficulties as opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of avoiding or resisting challenges, embracing them can lead to personal development and resilience.
· Building emotional capacity is crucial for navigating self-judgment and criticism. Developing the ability to doubt our own thinking and be present with our emotions can lead to greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
· The journey towards self-acceptance and enoughness is ongoing and requires patience, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. It's about finding joy and fulfillment outside of achievement and recognizing the value of our authentic selves.
Resources Mentioned:
- Rising Leader Handbook (to be published in January 2024) - mentioned as a resource by visiting the website www.markjsilverman.com and clicking the red button to get an advanced copy of the Executive Summary.
- Only Tens - mentioned as a free copy available on the website www.markjsilverman.com.
- The Enough podcast - mentioned as Dr. Mandy Leto's podcast, frequently ranked in the top 100 podcasts.
- "Spirituality is the Damnedest Thing" by Jed McKenna - mentioned as a book that Mandy Leto was reading during her journey.
- The Handbook for Hard Times - mentioned as a book by Gelong Thubten, a monk, that Mandy Leto found helpful.
- Dr. Anna Lemke - mentioned as a Stanford professor of psychiatry and an expert on dopamine.
- Michael Caine - mentioned as an actor who shared a profound insight in a YouTube video about using difficulties.
- Emotional capacity - mentioned as a concept that Mandy Leto is working on to build resilience and navigate emotions.
- Use the difficulty - mentioned as a concept shared by Michael Caine to embrace and learn from challenging situations.
Connect with Dr. Mandy Lehto:
Grab Your Advanced Copy of The Rising Leader Handbook[1]
Do you find yourself rising throu
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