Table of Contents
Introduction 7
Part 1 Agency 10
Chapter 1 (Re)Envisioning the Dream 11
Breaking the Impostor Syndrome Cycle 12
Reassessing Organizational Loyalty 14
Codependency: Detaching from Others' Approval 19
Taking Care of Your Inner Child 24
Why Your Dreams Are Important 27
Chapter 2 Protecting the Dream 30
Introducing the New You: Increasing Agency 30
Pushing Back When the System Says "No" 36
Identifying a Toxic System 39
Sustaining Agency in a Toxic System 44
Intentionally Celebrating You-Enjoying Your Joy 46
Chapter 3 Conquering Burnout and Perfectionism 48
Breaking Free of Burnout 48
Giving Up Perfectionism 63
Part 2 Assessment 69
Chapter 4 Acknowledging Your First System 70
Family Systems 70
The Container and How to Break It 85
Chapter 5 Managing Toxic Cultures 88
Identifying Elements of Toxic Work Cultures 88
Your Options When Dealing with a Toxic Work Culture 95
Chapter 6 Identifying Toxic Leadership 98
Early Experiences of Parenting Styles and Authority 98
Leadership Redefined 104
Authority Relationship Types 106
Five Archetypes of Toxic Leaders 107
Performance Review Processes 112
Chapter 7 Protecting Your Identity 116
The Double Impact of Impostor Syndrome 119
Other Consequences for Marginalized Groups 121
Part 3 Actualization 128
Chapter 8 Belonging in Healthy Systems 129
Psychological Safety 131
Perfectionism and Healthy Belonging 135
Vulnerability 136
Relational Resilience 137
Chapter 9 Conquering Leadership Pitfalls 140
Micromanaging 141
Delegating Poorly 142
Modeling Overwork 145
Agonizing over Mistakes 146
Overlooking Celebratory Moments 149
Minimizing Performance and Contribution 151
Underestimating Your Value 152
Dealing With Negative Stereotypes 154
Perpetuating the Myth of Executive Presence 156
Chapter 10 Developing Healthy Leadership 158
Creating Psychological Safety 158
Building Your Team 163
Conclusion: Your Unstoppable Greatness 169
Notes 171
Acknowledgments 175
About the Authors 176