By Lisa Larson, Founder Mindful Corporate Mastery
For years, I believed finding my voice meant sounding more confident, more polished, more like what “leadership” was supposed to sound like.
But as I grew through experience, mindfulness, and reflection, I realized the barriers weren’t external. They were internal beliefs quietly shaping how I showed up.
Here are five I didn’t even realize were holding me back and how I’m learning to release them:
1. “I need to sound credible before I can sound real.”
My corporate years taught me to lead with logic and evidence. But credibility without authenticity feels hollow. When I let my heart speak before my title, people didn’t question my expertise, they leaned in closer.
Lesson: Realness builds trust faster than proof.
2. “If it’s not polished, it’s not ready.”
Perfection used to feel like professionalism. But every time I waited until something was flawless, I missed the moment to connect. People don’t want polish, they want presence.
Lesson: Connection doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from authenticity.
3. “I can’t fully claim the teacher role while I’m still evolving.”
I used to downplay my voice because I didn’t feel “done.” But growth and mastery can coexist.
I realized I could guide others as I grow. Humility and expertise aren’t opposites.
Lesson: You don’t need to be finished to be valuable.
4. “Corporate audiences won’t embrace meaning and purpose.”
For years, I softened the deeper parts of my message to keep it “safe.” But what people are truly craving in their work isn’t just success, its significance. They want to connect their goals to something meaningful.
When I stopped filtering out purpose and started integrating it into performance, everything changed.
Lesson: The future of leadership is built on meaning, not metrics alone.
5. “I’m better behind the framework than in the spotlight.”
I spent my career creating processes, methodologies, models and systems that gave me something to stand behind including the G.E.A.R. framework, programs, frameworks. But people don’t connect with frameworks. They connect with faces, stories, and humanity. And that means stepping into visibility, not hiding behind structure.
Lesson: You are the story.
Finding My True Voice
When I stopped trying to sound “right” and started sounding real, I discovered a different kind of leadership voice. My authentic voice is one that’s grounded in clarity, compassion, and meaning.
If any of these beliefs resonate with you, ask yourself:
💭 What quiet belief might be shaping how you show up, speak, or lead?
What could open up if you released it?
About the Author
Lisa Larson is the co-founder of Mindful Corporate Mastery and creator of the Awakening Performance program — a mindfulness-based performance system helping leaders and teams reduce decision fatigue, enhance clarity, and lead with purpose. Learn more at awakeningperformance.com.
