Trust Yourself to Decide
- Cristina Stensvaag
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 22
Self-trust grows when you know who you are as a leader. Each aligned decision reinforces your inner authority.
January 13, 2026
Originally published in One More Rep, a weekly newsletter for people managers who want to get better through practice. Subscribe here — it's free.
Last week, we focused on defining your leadership identity, especially who you intend to be when things get uncomfortable. This week builds on that foundation.
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One of the most common struggles leaders face isn’t a lack of skill or effort. It’s second-guessing. Not trusting themselves to make - and own - a decision.
Should I address this now or wait?
Am I being too direct?
What if I make the wrong call?
Self-trust isn’t about being certain you’re right. It’s about being grounded enough in your identity to make a call, and to take responsibility for it.
Leaders with strong inner authority don’t outsource every decision to consensus, reassurance, or approval. They lead with curiosity, listen, consider, and then decide.
Rep
This week’s rep is about decisive follow-through.
Choose one leadership moment where you would normally hesitate: giving feedback, setting a boundary, making a call even if you don't have complete confidence that it's the right one.
Before you act, ask yourself:
What does my leadership identity call for here?
What decision would I make if I leaned into self-trust?
The goal isn’t perfection. It is alignment with your identity and inner authority.
Reflect
Ask yourself:
Where do I tend to seek reassurance instead of trusting my judgment?
What’s the cost of delaying decisions in those moments?
How did it feel to act in alignment with my identity?
Notice what happens when you choose action over avoidance.
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Cristina Stensvaag is co-founder of LeaderReps and creator of One More Rep, a weekly practice-based leadership newsletter for people managers.