Breaking Free from Self-Doubt: The Leadership Advantage You Already Possess - David Ashcraft - Global Leadership Summit 2025

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through LinkedIn, watching another leader's success story, and thinking, "I could never do that"?

Or maybe you've sat in a meeting, holding back your ideas because you wondered if they were good enough compared to everyone else's?

You're not alone. And more importantly, that voice of self-doubt might be robbing you—and those you lead—of something irreplaceable.

The Hidden Enemy of Great Leadership

David Ashcraft, who grew LCBC Church from 150 to over 22,000 people during his 32-year tenure, shared a profound truth that every leader needs to hear: Comparisons breed self-doubt, and self-doubt is the enemy of leadership.

Think about that for a moment. How many leadership opportunities have slipped through your fingers, not because you lacked capability, but because you made comparisons that fed your self-doubt?

The most dangerous part? We often don't realize we're doing it. We see another leader's polished presentation, their confident decision-making, or their seemingly effortless success, and we immediately measure ourselves against their highlight reel. But here's what we're missing...

What Great Leadership Really Looks Like

Great leadership isn't defined by the expectations of others—it's defined by our response. It's not about weathering every storm perfectly; it's about not quitting in the middle of one.

When you're facing that difficult conversation with an underperforming team member, when the budget numbers aren't adding up, when the strategy you believed in isn't working—that's when your true leadership is revealed, not in how you compare to others, but in how you respond to the challenge in front of you.

Your Unique Leadership Advantage

Here's the shift that changes everything: Great leadership isn't about being someone else. It's about being an advantage to others exactly as you are.

You weren't designed to be a carbon copy of the leader you admire most. You were uniquely shaped—with your experiences, your perspective, your strengths, and yes, even your struggles—to influence others in a way that only you can.

God has uniquely shaped you not to imitate, but to influence others just as you are.

What does this mean practically? It means:

• Your quieter leadership style might be exactly what your team needs in a season of chaos

• Your analytical approach could be the missing piece in a group of big-picture visionaries

• Your ability to connect with people's hearts might be the bridge that transforms your organization's culture

When you focus on the work you're called to do—when you lean into who you are rather than who you think you should be—you become an advantage and benefit to others.

Turning Doubt into Growth Fuel

But what about when others doubt you? When someone questions your decisions, challenges your authority, or dismisses your ideas?

Ashcraft offers this powerful reframe: When someone doubts you, do not let it feed your self-doubt. Let it fuel your growth.

This is the difference between leaders who shrink and leaders who expand. The external doubt becomes internal fuel. The questioning becomes an invitation to get better, not a verdict on your worth.

Your Next Steps Forward

As you reflect on these insights, ask yourself this honest question: What leadership opportunities have you missed because you made comparisons that led to self-doubt?

Maybe it's time to:

• Stop the comparison game - Focus on your unique contribution rather than measuring against others

• Define your response - Identify how you'll respond to the next storm instead of hoping you'll weather it perfectly

• Embrace your advantage - Write down three ways your unique perspective benefits your team or organization

• Fuel your growth - The next time someone doubts you, ask "How can this help me grow?" instead of "Am I good enough?"

The Leadership Challenge

You have something unique to offer. Your team, your organization, your family—they need the leader you are, not the leader you think you should be.

The question isn't whether you're as good as someone else. The question is: Are you being the advantage you were designed to be?

Stop comparing. Start contributing. The world needs your unique brand of leadership.

What's one way you'll choose to be an advantage to others this week, exactly as you are?

About David Ashcraft: David Ashcraft is President & CEO of the Global Leadership Network and author of "What Was I Thinking? How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead With Confidence."

During his 32 years as senior pastor of LCBC Church, he helped grow weekly attendance from 150 to over 22,000 people. He also hosts The Global Leadership Podcast.