Leadership readiness is often misunderstood as a checklist of skills and experience, but true readiness comes from internal qualities like mindset, willingness, and belief in oneself. We keep promoting people based on technical expertise and external traits, then wonder why they burn out when they haven't connected to their deeper purpose for leading.

• Shifting from waiting for external validation to trusting yourself is a key turning point in leadership development
• The Clarity Compass tool helps align leadership with personal values through four key dimensions: Why, What, Who, and How
• Leadership preparation should start with identity and purpose, not just skills training
• Many high-potential leaders don't recognize their own readiness because they're waiting for someone else to define their path
• Effective leadership development requires honest conversations rather than standardized programming

If this topic resonates with you, explore what leadership readiness programming might look like in your organization by visiting www.debbiepetersonspeaks.com to learn about leadership readiness labs and programming.