Shift Your Question
In a recent staff meeting, our team had the opportunity to learn from David Ashcraft’s “Shift Your Question” through the Global Leadership Network.
One of the biggest challenges leaders face isn’t always a lack of ability or experience—it’s self-doubt. It’s easy to look around at the people leading alongside us and wonder if we’re doing enough, if we’re capable enough, or if we’re leading the “right” way.
But comparison has a way of distracting us from the very strengths and gifts we bring to the table.
Ashcraft’s message offered a refreshing reminder: true influence isn’t about imitation—it’s about contribution.
Instead of asking, “Am I enough?” we can shift the question toward something more productive: “How can I use what I’ve been given to benefit others?”
The Danger of Comparison
Comparison can quickly turn into self-doubt. When we measure our leadership, success, or abilities against someone else’s, we can lose sight of our own unique role.
Leadership doesn’t require us to lead exactly like someone else. In fact, trying to imitate another person can keep us from fully stepping into the strengths, experiences, and perspective we were given.
As Ashcraft reminds us, self-doubt can become one of the greatest enemies of leadership.
Don’t Quit in the Middle of the Storm
Leadership—and life—comes with difficult seasons. There will be moments when we question ourselves, face criticism, or wonder whether we’re on the right path.
Those moments can make quitting feel easier.
But sometimes, we simply need to keep going.
Ashcraft shared how encouragement from a professor helped keep him from giving up when he was struggling with doubt. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we choose to encourage the people around us, especially when they don't have much confidence in themselves.
As leaders and teammates, we have the opportunity to create an environment where people feel supported, valued, and reminded of their potential.
Be the Benefit
One of the most meaningful challenges from the talk was the idea of being the “great benefit” or “great advantage” of who you are.
Rather than constantly asking whether we measure up to someone else, what if we focused on what we uniquely bring?
Our experiences, strengths, personalities, perspectives, and even the challenges we’ve walked through all shape how we contribute.
We don’t have to be someone else to make an impact.
We just have to be ourselves and use what we’ve been given well.
Play the Part You’ve Been Given
Ashcraft’s final challenge was to “play the part God has given you.”
That can look different for every person. In our work, it may mean embracing the role we currently have instead of wishing we had someone else’s. It may mean using our strengths to serve our team, our clients, and the people around us.
We may not always see the full picture, but we can confidently focus on the part we’ve been given and trust that it matters.
Questions We Discussed as a Team
As we reflected on the message, we considered questions such as:
How has self-doubt affected our willingness to lead or step into a calling?
When someone has doubted our potential, did we allow it to create self-doubt or use it as fuel for growth?
How can we create an environment where our team members feel supported during moments of uncertainty?
What does it look like to “play the part God has given you” in our current work?
How can we lean into our unique role with greater confidence?
Key Takeaways
Comparison breeds self-doubt.
Self-doubt can become an enemy of leadership.
Don’t quit in the middle of the storm.
Be the great benefit or great advantage of who you are.
You don’t have to be someone else to make an impact.
Just be you.
Play the part God has given you.
Leadership isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about recognizing what you’ve been given, using it to serve others, and trusting that your contribution has value.
So instead of asking, “Am I enough?” perhaps it’s time to shift the question.
For this video series and more great leadership content, check out Global Leadership Network.