099: Their Insecurity Isn't Your Leadership Problem (4 of 6 Part Series)

Playing In The Sandbox

In this powerful episode of the "Communication Lies Leaders Believe" series, Tammy tackles a hidden saboteur in every team: employee baggage. Your team members aren't just bringing their skills to the table; they're bringing their past fears, limiting beliefs, and insecurities. Tammy busts the myth that it's a leader's job to fix this. Instead, she provides a clear, three-step framework to name it, frame it, and lead through it. This isn't about being an "accidental therapist"; it's about setting strong boundaries and creating a culture of accountability where insecurity doesn't become the "pink elephant with purple polka dots" in your room.

Key Takeaways for Leaders

• Baggage Isn't Just Luggage: Your team's past experiences and insecurities are a real force in the workplace. It's your job to lead through it, not fix it.

• The Insecurity Lie: Don't believe the lie that giving more clarity or reassurance will make their insecurity go away. Insecurity is a story they're telling themselves, often rooted in past wounds, not current reality.

• Separate the Person from the Problem: Learn to disconnect their identity from their performance. A key phrase to use is: "Your value isn't in question here; your behavior in this role is."

• Set Boundaries for Growth: Your role is to support someone's growth, not to carry it for them. If they're unwilling to work on their limiting beliefs, it's a performance issue, not a leadership failure.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

• How to identify when a team member's behavior is rooted in insecurity, not incompetence.

• The three-step process to name, frame, and lead through a team member's baggage.

• Why staying silent on emotional baggage is more costly than any conflict.

• The difference between helping a team member and being a "fixer."

• The questions to ask that will help a team member personally investigate their own limiting beliefs.

This is just one of many lies we're busting! We're celebrating our 100th episode next week as we continue this series. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!