I Feel Like Dead Weight…

A client recently confided in me during a company-wide reorganization. Their role had shifted significantly, responsibilities had changed, and expectations felt blurry at best. 

They said, “Honestly, I feel like I’m just dead weight right now—everyone else is having to carry me.” 

You could hear the defeat in their voice. That moment when confidence slips through your fingers and self-doubt fills the room. 

I paused and gently asked, “Do you think you’re dead weight… or maybe just a lightweight?” 

They blinked. “What do you mean?” 

The reality is: how we define ourselves during seasons of learning, change, or challenge matters. A Lot. 

Calling yourself “dead weight” implies you’re a burden. Stuck. Useless. A problem to be solved or quietly removed. 

But calling yourself a lightweight? That’s different. Lightweights are in the game. They may not be throwing knockout punches just yet, but they’re showing up. They’re quick on their feet. They’re building strength with every round. 

A lightweight isn’t a burden. They’re just not there yet. 

This small but mighty mindset shift is what self-aware leaders do.  They pause, reframe, and remind themselves (and others) that confidence and competence are earned over time, not gifted overnight. 

So, if you're feeling unsure in your role, your skills, or your identity right now, remember: 

• Don’t confuse discomfort with defeat. Discomfort means you’re growing. 

• Be the rookie with grit, not the veteran with ego. One is open. One is brittle. 

• Ask for clarity instead of pretending you’ve got it. There’s no shame in the question—only in silence that breeds resentment. 

• Build your “learning muscle.” Grit isn’t about grinding harder, it’s about recovering faster when things feel heavy. 

• Keep showing up. Confidence follows consistency. 

So, let’s go back to that question: 

Are you really dead weight… or are you a lightweight, building strength you just haven’t felt yet? 

One holds you down. The other helps you rise. 

Reflection Questions for the Self-Aware Leader: 

• Where am I labeling myself in a way that holds me back? 

• What would shift if I embraced a “lightweight” or “not yet” mindset? 

• What small effort can I make today to build my learning muscle? 

• Who around me needs permission to not be perfect—but be in progress?

YOU MATTER!