243. Overcoming the "I’m Not Enough" Trap

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May 27, 2025

Many leaders grapple with feelings of inadequacy rooted in their past. This constant drive for validation often leads to a scarcity mindset, clouding perceptions of success and time. Emphasizing vulnerability, the conversation advocates for sharing struggles to foster connection and support. The hosts explore how control can breed anxiety, encouraging a shift towards joy in the journey. Finding peace and fulfillment entails embracing the process rather than fixating on outcomes.

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INSIGHT

Leaders' 'Not Enough' Feeling

Many leaders feel they are "not enough," often stemming from childhood experiences.
Believing you are enough changes your drive from fear to joy, enhancing performance.

ANECDOTE

Running Fear vs. Joy Anecdote

Patrick Lencioni shared his steeplechase race where running without fear led to his best performance.
Fear-driven effort differs from joy-driven effort, illustrating a key leadership mindset shift.

INSIGHT

Power of Vulnerability Sharing

Transparency about feeling 'not enough' helps others realize they are not alone.
Admitting vulnerability fosters connection and diminishes isolation among leaders.

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Why do so many successful leaders struggle with the feeling of "not being enough"? And how can leaders shift away from a scarcity mindset?

In episode 243 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the pervasive feeling of inadequacy among leaders. They discuss how a "not enough" mindset can drive individuals to seek validation through constant achievement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, self-awareness, and shifting from a fear-based to a joy-based approach to life and work.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:49) The Prevalence of "I'm Not Enough"

* Many leaders share a common feeling of inadequacy, often tracing it back to their youth.

* This feeling can create a cycle of constantly striving to prove yourself, hindering your ability to find satisfaction in accomplishments.

(5:04) The Impact of Vulnerability

* Sharing your feelings of inadequacy with others can normalize these experiences, encouraging them to acknowledge their own struggles and seek support.

(9:07) The Scarcity Mindset

* Believing "I'm not enough" can lead to a scarcity mindset, affecting your perceptions of time, success, and resources.

(14:23) The Illusion of Control

* The pursuit of control over outcomes can lead to anxiety and prevent you from embracing the present moment.

(18:36) Finding Peace in the Journey

* Reframing your perspective can help you foster a sense of peace.

* Embracing the journey and finding joy in the process can lead to greater fulfillment than solely focusing on the result.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial.

Connect with Cody Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.