This is the eighth of twelve successive articles in which each of the following leadership qualities noted by Bhavna Dalal, MCC is examined.
These qualities are:
- They have a strong belief in themselves
- They have a strong sense of purpose
- They are present
- They have strong expertise in their domain
- They are constant strategic learners
- They network without an agenda
- They forgive and let go
- They believe they deserve it
- They know they cannot do it alone
- They take care of themselves
- They have an appetite for risk
- They are self-aware
In the following article, we respond to Dalal’s eighth assertion: They believe they deserve it.
Language matters, and while Dalal’s point is valuable, the phrase she uses can be misunderstood. We have all encountered those who feel entitled to advantages regardless of effort or impact on others—people who take credit for others’ work, ignore established expectations, or diminish colleagues from a place of positional power. That kind of “deserving” is not a leadership quality. It is a harmful pattern rooted in insecurity, entitlement, and a disregard for shared success and systemic health.
Healthy leadership looks very different.
Believing we “deserve” success begins with recognizing our intrinsic worth and honoring the effort, learning, and growth we have invested over time. When we bring our strengths to a system that welcomes our contribution, we not only help the system thrive—we grow into the person our work has prepared us to be. In those moments when someone says, “You are the right person in the right place at the right time,” and something inside us quietly agrees, we are experiencing an authentic and grounded sense of deserving.
This kind of confidence doesn’t shout; it settles the nervous system. It creates space for others. It knows that talents are gifts meant to be practiced, refined, and shared.
When leaders can acknowledge their own excellence without arrogance, they are far more able to notice, honor, and celebrate the excellence in others. Their success is not a scarcity resource; it becomes a catalyst. A team led by someone who knows their worth will often begin to see—and step into—their own.
Developing this leadership quality invites us to:
- Reflect honestly on our strengths and how we’ve cultivated them.
- Welcome recognition without deflecting or diminishing ourselves.
- Trust that achievement can be aligned with humility, generosity, and collaboration.
- Remember that our contributions matter—not because they are perfect, but because they are authentic.
Leaders who believe they deserve to be where they are do not need to prove it constantly. Their grounded presence gives others permission to grow, contribute, and shine.
As you continue your leadership journey, consider this gentle question:
What would become possible if you allowed yourself to truly believe you belong in the room—and that your gifts are worthy of being offered?
Owning your worth is not about self-aggrandizing. To the contrary, it is a service. It is an invitation to others to develop their own storehouse of skills and excellence. And it is a powerful step toward becoming the leader your community, team, organization, and world may be quietly waiting for.
