Befriending your impostor syndrome with Iceland's president Halla Tómasdóttir
Dec 17, 2024
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Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, previously co-founded Reykjavik University and led an investment firm during the financial crisis. She shares her journey from self-doubt to winning the presidency, emphasizing the importance of embracing impostor syndrome. Halla discusses her 'scarf revolution,' a unique political engagement movement, and highlights how listening fosters trust and collaboration in leadership. She also explores the need for inclusive masculinity and the transformative power of understanding diverse perspectives to enhance societal well-being.
Halla Tómasdóttir's journey illustrates how embracing impostor syndrome can catalyze personal growth and empower proactive leadership.
Effective leadership, as discussed by Halla, hinges on building trust through dialogue and fostering community involvement for collective change.
Deep dives
The Journey of Leadership
Leadership often involves grappling with self-doubt and a questioning of one's own capabilities. Hadla Thomas-Dotter, the president of Iceland, reflects on her initial reaction to the suggestion of running for office, revealing that it was normal to feel unqualified. However, she learned to embrace her self-doubt instead of let it hinder her aspirations. This shift from thinking 'Who am I to run?' to 'Who am I not to run?' highlights a pivotal change in mindset that encourages proactive engagement in leadership roles despite uncertainties.
Befriending Self-Doubt
Hadla addresses the concept of imposter syndrome, emphasizing that recognizing and befriending self-doubt is crucial for personal and professional growth. Instead of fighting against these feelings, she suggests approaching them as critical voices that provoke introspection. This technique fosters a growth mindset, as Hadla discovered that waiting for complete confidence can hinder one’s ability to seize opportunities. By tapping into one’s emotional intelligence and personal values, leaders can find the courage needed to face challenges and take meaningful risks.
Redefining Leadership
The discussion highlights the need to rethink our understanding of leadership as being accessible to everyone, not just those in high-ranking positions. Hadla argues that true leadership should involve taking collective action and fostering community involvement in creating change. She also points out the unique challenges faced by women in leadership, including increased scrutiny and societal expectations. This perspective encourages a more inclusive definition of leadership, inviting each person to contemplate how they can contribute positively to their communities.
The Power of Hope and Dialogues
Hadla advocates for a leadership style grounded in hope, compassion, and open dialogue, rather than fear or divisiveness. Reinforcing the importance of awareness around the current global climate, she emphasizes that leadership should focus on connecting people through dialogue instead of traditional hierarchical methods. By creating spaces for conversations and collaboration, leaders can foster an environment where individuals feel heard and valued. This approach not only enhances trust but also empowers communities to work toward brighter, more holistic solutions to their challenges.
When Halla Tómasdóttir lost her bid for the Icelandic presidency in 2016, she wasn't sure she wanted to run again. But after battles with self-doubt, encouragement from her supporters and an epiphany about leadership, she ran again this year — and this time, she won. Halla joins Adam to discuss dealing with impostor syndrome, why leadership is worth the effort and how listening and asking questions can build trust with constituents and make you a stronger leader. The two also dig into the story behind Halla's "scarf revolution," Iceland's history of solving problems with creativity and Halla’s approach to leading her campaign — and presidency — with optimism.
Available transcripts for ReThinking can be found at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts