🎥 Sunday Reset with Steven – 7 Sept 2025
Why Borrowed Conviction Is the Most Dangerous Leadership Habit
In the rain at Monza - or in the boardroom - your own grip is what carries you through.
Ever noticed how one strong voice can swing an entire room?
A boardroom, an exec meeting, even a friendship group.
When that person speaks with absolute certainty, everyone nods along.
But the moment they waver, the whole group shifts like sand.
That’s borrowed conviction.
And it’s fragile.
As you know, during the week, I work with boards and leaders on the toughest challenges at the intersection of AI, governance, and transformation.
But every Sunday, I strip it back to something human, growth oriented, to apply in life and work.
This week, it’s about where we stand when the noise gets loud.
The Stoics had a word for it: autarkeia or self-sufficiency.
Marcus Aurelius wrote:
“You have power over your mind, not outside events.”
Conviction isn’t something you rent from others.
It has to be owned.
And if you’re watching the Italian Grand Prix today, here’s your metaphor:
When the rain hits Monza, the pack usually dives into the pits for new tyres.
But sometimes, one driver stays out.
They trust their grip, their feel of the track, their judgment, not the herd.
Sometimes it costs them.
But sometimes, that single act of conviction wins the race.
Because in Formula 1- like in leadership- the slipstream might keep you safe, but it will never make you a champion.
So How Do You Build Your Own Conviction (not borrow it)?:3 steps.
1️⃣ Define your WHY. Ask why it matters to you, not just to the group or the trend.
2️⃣ Borrow maps, not conviction. Take in perspectives- but redraw your own route. Les Brown says it well.
3️⃣ Practice ownership in small things. This week, make one decision without polling five people first.
📚 Want to go deeper? Here’s your 7-day challenge:
Pick up 2 books:
1. The Effective Board Member -Dr. Karl George, MBE book on anchoring decisions in governance, not groupthink.
2. It Worked for Me - in life and leadership, by General Colin Powell - a masterclass in turning principles into conviction, even under fire.
Read one, skim the other. By next Sunday, share one takeaway with your team.
Because here’s the truth:
Borrowed conviction might carry you into the room.
But only your own will keep you standing when the room goes quiet.
Keep growing. Keep leading.
Until next Sunday.
Let’s get it!
Steven PAUL, CDir FIoD – Reshaping boards and CEOs to lead decisively: Your boardroom compass for bold, trusted AI decisions and governance.
📳 Let me show you how. I invite you to connect with me.
♻️ Share forward, follow for moreBorrowed Conviction Is the Most Dangerous Leadership Habit
In the rain at Monza - or in the boardroom - your own grip is what carries you through.
Ever noticed how one strong voice can swing an entire room?
A boardroom, an exec meeting, even a friendship group.
When that person speaks with absolute certainty, everyone nods along.
But the moment they waver, the whole group shifts like sand.
That’s borrowed conviction.
And it’s fragile.
As you know, during the week, I work with boards and leaders on the toughest challenges at the intersection of AI, governance, and transformation.
But every Sunday, I strip it back to something human, growth oriented, to apply in life and work.
This week, it’s about where we stand when the noise gets loud.
The Stoics had a word for it: autarkeia or self-sufficiency.
Marcus Aurelius wrote:
“You have power over your mind, not outside events.”
Conviction isn’t something you rent from others.
It has to be owned.
And if you’re watching the Italian Grand Prix today, here’s your metaphor:
When the rain hits Monza, the pack usually dives into the pits for new tyres.
But sometimes, one driver stays out.
They trust their grip, their feel of the track, their judgment, not the herd.
Sometimes it costs them.
But sometimes, that single act of conviction wins the race.
Because in Formula 1- like in leadership- the slipstream might keep you safe, but it will never make you a champion.
So How Do You Build Your Own Conviction (not borrow it)?:3 steps.
1️⃣ Define your WHY. Ask why it matters to you, not just to the group or the trend.
2️⃣ Borrow maps, not conviction. Take in perspectives- but redraw your own route. Les Brown says it well.
3️⃣ Practice ownership in small things. This week, make one decision without polling five people first.
📚 Want to go deeper? Here’s your 7-day challenge:
Pick up 2 books:
1. The Effective Board Member -Dr. Karl George, MBE book on anchoring decisions in governance, not groupthink.
2. It Worked for Me - in life and leadership, by General Colin Powell - a masterclass in turning principles into conviction, even under fire.
Read one, skim the other. By next Sunday, share one takeaway with your team.
Because here’s the truth:
Borrowed conviction might carry you into the room.
But only your own will keep you standing when the room goes quiet.
Keep growing. Keep leading.
Until next Sunday.
Let’s get it!
Steven PAUL, CDir FIoD – Reshaping boards and CEOs to lead decisively: Your boardroom compass for bold, trusted AI decisions and governance.
📳 Let me show you how. I invite you to connect with me.
♻️ Share forward, follow for more
