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When asked to identify your leadership fears, insecurities, or weaknesses, can you quickly list them? For most leaders, the answer is yes. But what if I asked you to name your unique leadership value—the specific, irreplaceable value you bring to your workplace by simply being you? Suddenly, the question becomes much harder.

Why is that? Why do we struggle to acknowledge our strengths but can quickly list our shortcomings?

The answer lies in something called the negativity bias. This is a well-documented phenomenon in neuroscience where our brains give more weight to negative experiences than to neutral or positive ones. In other words, we’re wired to focus on the things we don’t do well rather than the things we excel at. This explains why it’s much easier to focus on insecurities and weaknesses, and why many leaders struggle to recognize and lean into their strengths.

Why We Need to Know Our Unique Value

The problem with focusing on our weaknesses is that it blinds us to the impact we can have as leaders. If we’re constantly dwelling on what we’re not good at, how can we lean into our strengths? Worse, how can we serve others effectively if we can’t even express what makes us valuable in the first place?

This is why it’s so important to take the time to identify our unique value and articulate it clearly. Only then can we fully embrace and leverage our strengths to lead effectively and make a difference in the lives of others.

A Simple Exercise to Discover Your Unique Value

Today, I’m going to walk you through a simple exercise that will help you discover your unique leadership value. By the end, you’ll have a statement you can lean into during those moments of doubt or discouragement—a reminder of the value you bring to your team and organization.

Let’s start with a few questions:

1. What are the values that drive you as a leader? Think about behaviors that are important to you. To help you answer this, consider some of the best leaders you’ve had and ask yourself, “What made them great?” Their strengths will likely mirror what you value most in leadership.

2. What has gone well lately? Identify a recent success and break it down. What were the steps you took to make that success happen? Who or what did it impact, and how did it change your perspective on yourself as a leader?

3. What do others say you’re good at? If you’re brave, ask a few trusted people what they believe you excel at. It could be a colleague, a friend, or a family member. What do people come to you for? What do they naturally turn to you to solve or advise on?

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve gathered your answers, it’s time to compile this information into a unique value statement. Here’s how:

1. Open up a document and begin with: “I am a leader who values…” List your leadership values.
2. Next, describe your recent success, how it unfolded, and the impact it had.
3. Then, summarize what others say you’re good at.

At this point, you’ll have a comprehensive set of data. Now comes the fun part—transforming it into a value statement. For example, here’s a value statement generated from this exercise:

"I bring significant value to my workplace through my ability to nurture and develop others, particularly by creating a supportive and encouraging environment. My kindness and patience allow me to connect deeply with those I lead, helping them see their strengths and build confidence in their roles. My clear and direct communication ensures that feedback is both constructive and actionable, fostering growth and improvement. Additionally, my joyful and positive demeanor contributes to a culture of encouragement and motivation where people feel valued and supported. This combination of qualities makes me not just a leader but a catalyst for others' success, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being and performance of my workplace."

Embracing Your Leadership Value

The leader who worked through this exercise came to realize her strengths after years of focusing solely on what she lacked. She had been comparing herself to others and feeling inadequate, weighed down by insecurity. But once she identified her value, she was able to move past those negative feelings and step into her role with greater confidence.

If you find yourself trapped in the comparison game—constantly measuring your abilities against other leaders—this exercise can help you shift your focus. Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, you’ll be reminded of the unique value you bring. And when you lean into that, you’ll be able to serve your team in ways that no one else can.

Take Action

So, what’s your unique leadership value? Go through this exercise, write down your value statement, and let it serve as a reminder that you have something important to offer.

I’d love to hear from you! Send me your value statement at [email protected], and let’s celebrate the unique strengths you bring to the table.

Keep leading well, friend. I’m cheering you on!

This blog post is based on a recent episode of the "Culture Keepers" podcast. Be sure to check out the full episode for more insights on discovering and embracing your unique leadership value.