Send us a text

"Fake it till you make it" might be one of the most damaging pieces of advice ever offered to aspiring leaders. This simple phrase sets us up for imposter syndrome, erodes our authenticity, and creates an exhausting façade that eventually crumbles under pressure. But what's the alternative?
Drawing from years of leadership experience, I offer a powerful reframe: "Learn it till you earn it." This approach celebrates curiosity over pretense, growth over performance, and authenticity over imitation. When we embrace learning openly, we not only build genuine skills and confidence but also create psychological safety for those around us. Real leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions and committing to growth.
The episode also tackles the comparison trap that plagues so many professionals. As Theodore Roosevelt wisely noted, "Comparison is the thief of joy," and nowhere is this more evident than in leadership development. We measure our complete, messy reality against others' carefully curated highlight reels, forgetting that everyone's path is unique. Success looks different for each person, and trying to copy someone else's journey is a losing game. Instead, discover practical strategies for defining success on your terms, tracking your progress, surrounding yourself with supporters rather than detractors, and embracing your authentic leadership style.
Your path to leadership is yours alone—that's what makes it powerful. You don't need to pretend to be someone else to be an effective leader. In fact, your unique combination of experiences, perspectives, and values is precisely what will make your leadership impactful. Take a moment this week to reflect: Where have you been faking it? What would it look like to shift into authentic learning mode instead? What small step can you take today to move forward as your true self?

Follow Catalyst Development on LinkedIn @catalystdevelopment and @drkatieervin
www.cdleaders.com
Learn more about Supervisor 101 at www.cdleaders.com/supervisor101
Theme music by Emma Jo https://emmajo.rocks/