Bob and I took Billy to the movies for his fifth birthday. He was going to see a superhero film and he was ready for it.
He walked straight past Bob to me, wearing full Sonic the Hedgehog undies, a Sonic t-shirt, Sonic socks, and an Avengers cap. In his mind, he was a full-blown superhero. He looked absolutely incredible, and he knew it.
He strutted through the car park like he owned the place. He checked himself out in every reflective surface. He was completely unbothered by what anyone thought of him. Completely certain. Completely himself.
"He had no title. No credentials. No formal approval from anyone. Just total conviction that he was exactly who he needed to be."
The Part That Really Got Me
We spent $75 on movie tickets. Billy lasted about 15 minutes before deciding he'd rather play Sonic the Hedgehog in the foyer. So that's what we did. We spent the rest of the afternoon running around outside the cinema while Billy narrated his own superhero story.
He didn't apologise for changing his mind. He didn't second-guess himself. He just did what felt right and committed to it fully.
Honestly? We all need to be a bit more like Billy.
What We Do Instead
Most adults spend enormous energy managing what other people think of them. We dress for other people's approval. We shrink our ideas to avoid criticism. We wait for the title, the promotion, the external validation that says we're allowed to show up big now.
Billy didn't wait. He just showed up.
Confidence is not something you receive. It is something you decide. You decide to walk into the room like you belong there. You decide to speak up even when your voice shakes. You decide to wear the metaphorical Avengers cap and not apologise for it.
"You don't need a title. You need to decide you're already that person."
The Leadership Version
This applies directly to how we lead. The people who wait for authority before they act are the people who never get momentum. The people who lead from where they are, with what they have, right now, are the ones who build things worth following.
Leadership is not a role. It is a decision you make every morning when you get out of bed.
Show up fully. In whatever outfit you've got. Own it completely.
Be more like Billy.
