Calling Out Your Leadership B.S. (Belief Systems)

Quick Take: The biggest thing holding you back isn’t your boss, your team, or even your circumstances. It’s your B.S. (your belief systems).

Good news: you can rewrite them starting today.

The Story I Had to Rewrite

For years, I believed something about myself that quietly chipped away at my confidence as a leader.

I’ve always preferred speaking in simple, direct terms. It’s just how my brain and words work. I can understand complex ideas, but I naturally translate them into plain language.

At some point, that clarity started to feel like a liability. I compared myself to leaders who seemed so eloquent, so polished, so articulate. My inner voice whispered: You’re not enough. People won’t take you seriously.

That belief, the B.S. I carried it, which kept me second-guessing. It made me shrink in rooms where I should have spoken up.

But here’s the plot twist: the very thing I thought was holding me back became one of my greatest leadership strengths. My straightforward communication helped people understand me, connect with me, and trust me. I wasn’t “less than.” I was just different, and that difference made me more effective.

This is what happens when we challenge our belief systems.

Why Leaders Must Call Out Their Own B.S.

We all carry limiting beliefs. Some we’ve inherited from childhood. Some from past workplaces. Some from the unspoken “rules” of leadership we’ve absorbed.

• I’m not ready to lead at the next level.

• I need to have all the answers.

• If I ask for help, I’ll look weak.

• I have to manage emotions instead of showing them.

Here’s the thing: every one of those is just a belief system. Not a universal truth.

As Jim Kwak argues in his work on narratives, the stories we accept shape the choices we make. Left unchallenged, our B.S. becomes invisible walls that keep us stuck.

Leaders who want to grow cannot afford to let unexamined beliefs run the show.

The Growth Mindset Shift

Calling out your B.S. isn’t about judgment. It’s about growth.

Carol Dweck’s research shows that leaders with a growth mindset (believing they can improve through effort and learning) are more innovative, resilient, and successful.

When you rewrite a belief system, you are literally upgrading your mental operating system.

Instead of:

• “I’m not articulate enough.”
  You shift to:

• “My simple, direct language helps people understand me, and that’s powerful leadership.”

Instead of:

• “I can’t handle conflict.”
  You shift to:

• “Conflict is a skill, and I can learn to navigate it better.”

The result? More confidence, more courage, and more capacity to achieve your goals.

Emotional Intelligence: Your B.S. Detector

One of the best tools for spotting and shifting belief systems is emotional intelligence. Our EQ Mastery Cycle™ makes it practical:

1. Slow down and pause. Notice when a belief surfaces, especially in moments of self-doubt.

2. Tune in. Ask yourself: What’s the story I’m telling? Is it a fact or an assumption?

3. Plan with intention. Reframe the belief. What new story would better serve me and my team?

4. Implement consistently. Practice the new belief until it becomes your default.

Example: Instead of shrinking back in meetings because you think you’re “not enough,” pause. Tune in: “This is my old B.S. belief talking.” Reframe: “I bring clarity and connection to the room.” Then show up and contribute from that place.

That’s how leaders call out their B.S. in real time.

Micro-Actions to Reprogram Your B.S.

Want to start today? Another way to frame this is a simple, three-step process:

1. Catch one belief. Write down a self-limiting thought you’ve carried. (Hint: It often starts with “I can’t” or “I’m not.”)
2. Flip the script. Rewrite it as a growth statement. (“I’m not ready” → “I’m learning the skills I need, and each step gets me closer.”)
3. Test it out. In the next week, notice when the old belief shows up and consciously practice the new one.

Small rewrites compound into big leadership breakthroughs.

FAQs: Leaders and Belief Systems

Q: How do I know if it’s a “belief system” or just reality?
A: If the thought feels absolute (“I’ll never…” “I always…”) and shuts down possibility, it’s likely a belief system, not fact.

Q: What if my team sees through me if I’m still learning?
A: Most people respect leaders who admit they’re growing. It builds trust and models authenticity.

Q: Can belief systems really affect performance?
A: Yes. Research shows that leaders’ mindsets shape team engagement, innovation, and resilience.

Rewrite Your Leadership Story

The beliefs you carry shape how you show up. If you’re stuck, it’s time to call out the B.S. and choose a new story.

Leaders don’t grow by chance. They grow by intention. And rewriting your belief systems is one of the most intentional (and powerful) moves you can make.

👉 Ready to reprogram your leadership B.S.? Book a discovery call today and let’s do it together.