gospel of Lake Wobegon

It’s easy to know and see the difference that you are making.  What’s often more difficult, is seeing the difference someone else is making.

The “Lake Wobegon fallacy” describes how individuals overestimate their own qualities and abilities, relative to others.  In one study, students in a work group estimated their contribution to the team, and it ended up at 139%.

It’s a strange complex where we tend to often look down on ourselves but at the same time, overestimate ourselves in relation to others.   

A key is to not only give yourself grace, but to give others even more. 

Confidence is a good thing.  But confidence, at the expense of someone else, is no confidence at all.  If one has to justify overestimating their own abilities, it’s not true confidence.  Confidence and leadership can always be found in putting other's abilities above one’s own. 

If you are going to overestimate someone, overestimate your neighbor, and give them the confidence to be all they can be.