5 Surprising Limiting Beliefs Sabotaging Women Leaders
Here’s the thing: These beliefs are often so deeply ingrained, we don’t even realise we have them. But once identified, they can be rewired. Here are the five most surprising limiting beliefs I’ve encountered, and how to overcome them:
“I need to know everything before I can lead effectively”
Many women feel they need to be experts in every aspect of their field before they can step into leadership.
But great leaders are great learners. Embrace the growth mindset.
Your ability to adapt and learn is far more valuable than encyclopedic knowledge.
Challenge the belief by:
• Celebrating your curiosity as a leadership strength
• Setting a goal to learn one new thing in your field each week
2. “Showing emotion makes me look weak”
In a world that often equates leadership with stoicism, many women leaders suppress their emotions to appear “strong.”
Emotional intelligence is a superpower in leadership.
Your ability to understand and express emotions can create deeper connections and inspire your team.
Challenge the belief by:
• Practice naming your emotions without judgment
• Share appropriate personal stories to build trust
3. “I’m not charismatic enough to be an inspiring leader”
The myth of the charismatic leader can make quieter personalities feel inadequate.
Authenticity trumps charisma every time.
Your unique style of communication can be just as inspiring when it comes from a place of genuine passion.
Challenge the belief by:
• Practice storytelling to convey your vision
• Focus on listening deeply — it’s an underrated leadership skill
4. “I need to be available 24/7 to be a good leader”
The pressure to always be “on” can lead to burnout and actually decrease your effectiveness.
Setting boundaries models healthy work-life integration for your team and allows you to show up as your best self.
Challenge the belief by:
• Defining your non-negotiable personal time
• Communicating clear expectations about availability
5. “Asking for help is a sign of weakness”
Many women leaders feel they need to do it all alone to prove their worth.
The ability to build and leverage a strong network is a crucial leadership skill.
Asking for help shows wisdom, not weakness.
Challenge the belief by:
• Reframe asking for help as “strategic collaboration”
• Practice asking for specific help in low-stakes situations
Remember, your brain has an incredible ability to rewire itself.
By consciously challenging these limiting beliefs, you’re creating new neural pathways.