How To Go From Ugly Duckling Leader To Swan
This one thing helps marginalized leaders go from ugly duckling to confident, culture-conscious leader. Learn to use your ‘ugly’ as your strategic advantage and go from unlikely leader to leadership role model.
How Do Ugly Duckling Leaders Realize That They’re Swans?
Since ugly duckling leaders are getting negative feedback about their unique traits and being overlooked for leadership roles, how do they find out that they’re not ugly ducklings after all?
In order to recognize that they’re really a swan that’s being mislabeled, they will need an accurate mirror.
What Is An Accurate Mirror?
Accurate mirrors come in many forms.
Depending on which type of accurate mirror you choose, it may not only help you see yourself better, it can also help you find your flock and learn how to fly.
Types of Accurate Mirrors
Mentorship
Sponsorship
Leadership development programs
Better job / culture fit (i.e., joining the right flock)
Peer support communities (i.e., finding fellow swans)
Role models
Telling your story
Most of the accurate mirrors listed here require another person or group. There's only one that you can do entirely on your own: tell your story.
When you start to share your story and experiences as an ugly duckling leader, it can not only help you recognize your own leadership abilities, it can become a beacon for other ugly duckling leaders who are looking to be seen as the swans they are by a flock they can call their own.
Are you a BIPOC, LGBTQ or neurodivergent leader?
Tired of being overlooked for leadership opportunities because you don’t ‘fit the mold’?
Ready to go to the next level of leadership, but lack the confidence or support to get there?
Want to create your own brand of leadership that celebrates differences versus demanding that every leader look and act the same?
The Unlikely Leader Mini-Course is for you!
Start embracing your differences instead of hiding them. Connect with other like-minded leaders in a virtual community. Develop your skills in the 4 leadership disciplines.
As a Bonus, you’ll get 1-month Free membership to Masterplan University - a leadership learning community for culture-conscious leaders.
The 3 Contrasting Traits of Ugly Duckling Leaders
These 3 traits of marginalized leaders are both challenges to overcome and opportunities to make your mark. Learn to use your ‘ugly’ as your strategic advantage and go from unlikely leader to leadership role model.
What is an ugly duckling leader?
Ugly duckling leaders are those leaders who are usually overlooked for leadership because they don’t fit the typical leadership mold, these leaders often come from historically marginalized groups, such as: BIPOC, LGTBQ, and neurodivergent communities.
Ugly duckling leaders often experience the following challenges or obstacles on their leadership journeys:
Being blocked or held back by conventional leadership definitions
Assumed to have few leadership qualities and / or little desire to be a leader,
Struggling to conform to an ideal leadership image or personality type
Mistaking their natural tendencies, talents or behaviors as weaknesses.
Ironically, ugly duckling leaders often have and demonstrate traits of high-performing leaders.
3 contrasting Traits of Ugly Duckling Leaders
Trait #1: high-performing misfits
Ugly duckling leaders often experience marginalization, but remain high performers.
Trait #2: Culture clashers
Ugly duckling leaders tend to be at odds with the culture of the organization that they're in, but they're also role models of alternatives to that culture.
Trait #3: Aloof Ambassadors
Ugly duckling leaders often get charged with being aloof, but they usually have no problem speaking up for others.
Do any of these sound like you? Keep reading to find out how to make the transition from ugly duckling leader to swan.
Are You An Ugly Duckling Leader?
Feeling marginalized or overlooked because you’re not the one-size-fits-all leadership type? You might be an ugly duckling leader. Learn to use your ‘ugly’ as your strategic advantage and go from unlikely leader to leadership role model.
The Story of the Ugly Duckling
There once was an ugly duckling. She knew she was an ugly duckling because everyone said so. ‘Too big!’, they quacked. ‘Too much. Too different.’ She was teased, laughed at, and bit.
There once was an ugly duckling...
Ugly duckling leaders are often overlooked for leadership because they don’t fit a one-size-fits-all image or idea of leadership.
One day, the ugly duckling hears a sound from above. She looks up and sees a formation of elegant swans flying overhead. Their beauty and movements make a lasting impact on her. If only she could be like them.
If only she could be like them…
Ugly duckling leaders usually identify with and exhibit the role model behaviors of other leaders and high-performers
The ugly duckling runs away, going from place to place seeking shelter, but each time she is chased out. Tired and bruised from ill treatment, she spies a flock of the strange and elegant creatures floating on a lake. She thinks to herself, well, at least if I'm going to be beat up, I'd rather be beat up by someone I admire, and decides to throw herself at their mercy.
The ugly duckling goes from place to place seeking shelter…
Ugly duckling leaders may try switching roles, teams or organizations in search of a better cultural fit.
To her surprise, The elegant swans don't attack her. Instead, they embrace her as one of their own.
They embrace her as one of their own…
It make take some time, but once the ugly leading finds their ‘flock’, they grow in confidence, visibility and influence.
What is an ugly duckling leader?
Ugly duckling leaders are those leaders who are often overlooked for leadership because they don’t fit the typical leadership mold, but they’re also high-performers who demonstrate leadership ability.
Ugly duckling leaders often come from historically marginalized groups, such as: BIPOC, LGTBQ, and neurodivergent communities.
Keep reading to find out if you have any or all of the 3 contrasting traits of Ugly Duckling Leaders.