Are You Doubting Yourself Because of Someone Else’s Behavior?
You’re not alone—and you didn’t cause this.
In this video, I share a powerful real-life story from one of my clients: a kind, competent leader who found themselves questioning their leadership, parenting, and self-worth after hiring someone who turned out to be deceptive. What they were experiencing is called self-gaslighting, and it’s more common than you think.
If you’ve ever started to question your own instincts, decisions, or capabilities because of someone else’s manipulation or dysfunction, this message is for you.
🌐 I’m JoyGenea, a specialized coach for high-performing, unconventional leaders and adults with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism.
Let’s keep learning together.
Transcription:
This helped my client this week, and maybe it can help you.
You didn’t cause this. You can’t fix this.
And what is the first thing you need to do to take care of yourself?
Here’s the condensed story:
A good, honest, and kind upper-level leader got played by a con artist about job skills and ability.
So now he’s his employee. Because he was busy with a business crisis when this person started the job, they didn’t spot the signs right away—until it was months later.
Here’s the important part:
This situation, the ongoing lying and gaslighting, was causing them to doubt their leadership skills, to second-guess their parenting, and to even question, Who were they to be running a business or company?
This is called self-gaslighting, and it is a telltale sign that you are being lied to—because you have stopped trusting yourself.
I knew just what to do: help them reconnect with themselves, their strengths, and their wisdom.
I needed to interject some truth and then help them fight the lies that were gonna come when they heard it.
And trust me, they did.
If you can relate to this, you are not alone. And you didn’t cause this.
This person arrived at your company broken. That happened long before you met them.
You can’t fix this. This is way above your skills and pay grade.
And more than that—you never want to be in the business of judging people to try and fix them.
That backfires every time.
There’s only one person you get to control in this lifetime, and that is you.
Here’s the key question:
What is the first thing you need to do to take care of yourself?
Notice I’m not asking for notice.
I’m only asking for one action in this question, and it is the first thing that comes to mind.
Whatever the answer is, do it ASAP.
Then ask that question again, and again, until you get that momentum.
Before you know it, this person will be in your rearview mirror.
I’m JoyGenea, specialized coach for high-performing, unconventional leaders in the world, and adults with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism.
And I’m so glad you stopped by.
Watch my video, please like it, please follow my feeds, hang out with me.
You might be amazed what you learn.
Bye now.