The speaker describes suffering from severe anxiety in a senior role, which they attribute to the internal pressure of trying to prove they deserved the promotion. This self-inflicted doubt was the primary obstacle to their performance and well-being.
A core lesson from the speaker's experiences is the failure of hiding weaknesses, whether a language deficiency or anxiety. They conclude that openly sharing difficulties with more experienced people is the most effective path to getting help and moving forward.
The narrative covers the practical and psychological hurdles of a major career move, including an international relocation and a significant promotion. The speaker details how both a skills gap (language) and a mindset issue (anxiety) created tough stretches in their career.
The speaker distinguishes between a healthy level of anxiety and the debilitating state they experienced. Their struggle was a personal battle with their own mindset, which only resolved when they consciously decided to relax and trust their abilities.
Keep pulling the thread on Doug McMillon.