INT 116: Stop Hiding Who You Are as a Leader and in Life

In this week’s episode of the Int-HER-rupt podcast, Linda Yates brings you an amazing, moving conversation with Ruth Rathblott. Rathblott is a best-selling author, a TEDx and expert keynote speaker, and an award-winning leader in the nonprofit sector. Together, they delve into what it is like to hide the differences that make you who you are, and how to escape a cycle of perfectionism and shame in your personal and professional life.

Ruth Rathblott’s Background

• Ruth was born with a limb difference, and wanting to fit in caused her to hide
• Hiding became a pattern in her life, but it was exhausting and lonely
• As a leader in business, a pattern of hiding and perfectionism caused her team to reflect that – her staff felt like they had to be perfect, and didn’t always feel comfortable enough to be themselves

3 Tips for Coming Out of Hiding

1. Understand the part of yourself that feels “different.” Ask yourself questions: what part of yourself are you trying to hide? What are the social and cultural ideas about it? How are they impacting you?
2. Find a place to share your difference. This can be a friend, partner, therapist, or even a journal - start to create space in your life for the part of yourself you’re hiding.
3. Connect with other people. Once you start sharing, you may find a community that you relate can relate to, and who share some of your experiences and challenges. A community can offer you support, and you can also become a role model for others.

Unhiding in Leadership

• Vulnerability starts with leadership - if leaders are willing to share some things about themselves, they model this behavior for others
• Empathy in the workplace can create a better, more informed work environment
• This is different from “spilling”, or oversharing - unhiding is sharing when you are in need of support

“It starts with leadership. Leaders need to be the ones that model...