The Value Was Always There | Volume 1, Edition 2

What happens when your confidence is shaken, and you begin to question your value? In this edition of Lead Anew: Insights and Growth, I share the hard-earned lessons I've learned from losing a job, accepting a role that wasn’t the right fit for me, and ultimately reclaiming my voice. This story isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about redefining your worth on your terms and finding the courage to prioritize alignment over seeking approval. If you’ve ever doubted your value or made compromises out of fear, this message is for you.

Welcome back to Lead Anew: Insights and Growth. If no one has reminded you lately, let me be the one to say it: you are worthy. Your experience, your voice, and your leadership are essential. However, I didn’t always feel this way. For years, I tied my self-worth to job titles and the opinions of others. It wasn’t until my career took an unexpected turn that I had to confront a more challenging question: Who am I without the role I once held?

 The phrase “know your worth” is often used as a motivational tagline, but its true meaning goes far beyond. It encompasses self-respect, clarity, and setting boundaries. To truly understand your worth, you must recognize the value you bring to every aspect of your life, your workplace, relationships, community, and even your inner self. It’s not just about salary or titles; it’s about understanding your skills, character, and lived experiences, and how they contribute to something meaningful. It means refusing to settle for treatment that undermines your dignity and having the courage to walk away from environments that fail to recognize your full humanity.

Knowing your worth involves being honest with yourself. You must acknowledge both your strengths and areas for growth without letting self-doubt define you. It’s about standing in your truth, advocating for yourself when needed, and aligning your life with your values rather than seeking external validation. In essence, knowing your worth isn’t arrogance; it’s self-awareness with backbone. It becomes the foundation for living, leading, and loving with purpose.

When I was laid off, I felt as though my identity was stripped away. I had devoted everything to my work, my energy, my loyalty, my weekends, and yet, I was dismissed without a proper goodbye. This experience was both painful and humbling. However, over time, I came to realize something profound: my job did not define me. My worth did not disappear simply because my title did. This moment served as a mirror, reflecting to me a person who is still deeply capable, resilient, and deserving of growth.

Recognizing your worth isn’t always easy, especially if you have been underestimated or overlooked. It requires self-reflection, setting boundaries, and the courage to assert yourself, even if your voice wavers. For those of us in our second act, this is where authentic leadership begins. We stop shrinking to fit outdated molds and start standing tall in our accumulated wisdom. We learn to stop seeking permission and start trusting our inner compass.

After the layoff, I accepted a position that wasn’t right for me; I realized it on the very first day. The culture, the expectations, and the energy didn’t align with my values or strengths. However, I stayed in the job, fearing what it would mean to walk away again, especially after being unemployed just a month earlier. That experience reminded me how fear can silence our instincts and how easily we can settle when we forget our worth. Staying taught me a valuable lesson: saying yes to the wrong opportunity out of fear comes at a cost, and reclaiming your voice is worth the risk.

That role, though not a good fit, became one of the most significant lessons on my journey. It taught me exactly what I don’t want in an employer: a lack of transparency, misaligned values, and a disconnect between mission and culture. Instead of viewing it as a mistake, I now see it as the spark that reignited my desire to find a role that truly aligns with my principles, strengths, and purpose. It was the catalyst that drove me toward a workplace where I could not only grow but also lead with authenticity and clarity.

Your worth is non-negotiable. It’s not determined by how busy you are or how many degrees you’ve earned. Instead, it’s reflected in how you show up, with integrity, care, and the intention to make a difference. Whether you’re mentoring others, stepping into a new role, or starting from scratch, remember that you bring value simply by being who you are. When you recognize your worth, you stop seeking permission to rise and begin to soar with purpose, clarity, and conviction.

As you move through this season, I encourage you to ask: Where have I been undervaluing myself, and how can I begin to lead from a place of self-respect? Recognizing our worth sets a powerful tone, not only for ourselves but also for those who look to us for guidance. That, above all, is the essence of lasting leadership.

You don’t need to prove your worth; you simply have to own it. Keep leading anew, taking one grounded step at a time. 

#LeadAnewWithKim #SoarWithPurpose #YourSecondSeasonRedefined #LeadAnewInsightsandGrowth 

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