Swagger

About the Author

Leslie Ehm is a former TV host and advertising Creative Director turned training guru. She has spent decades traveling the globe with her award-winning company, Combustion, working with executives and teams from top organizations like Google, Disney, PepsiCo, TD Bank, and Uber. Leslie has transformed technologists into creative forces, bankers into storytellers, and brought a serious dose of badassery to boardrooms everywhere. As a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, speaker, and Swagger Coach, Leslie is known for her bold and authentic approach to personal development.

Main Idea

The main idea of "Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want" is to redefine the concept of swagger. Traditionally, swagger is seen as an air of powerful, cocksure confidence. However, Leslie Ehm presents swagger as the ability to manifest your true self and hold on to it in any situation, despite psychological challenges. True swagger is not about perfection but about being a flawed badass, embracing self-acceptance, and leveraging your authenticity for game-changing, next-level success.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Swagger Blockers
• Persona
• Ambition
• Insecurity
• Fear
• Pain
3. Swagger Drivers
• Truth
• Intention
• Self-Belief
4. Walking, Talking, and Feeling Your Swagger
5. Living Your Best Swagger Life

Introduction

Confidence is not about having all the answers; it's about honestly believing in yourself. This belief stems from real competence and self-worth at your current stage. Leslie Ehm encourages us to move from "fake it 'til you make it" to "feel it 'til you find it." This shift in mindset is crucial for developing true swagger.

Swagger Blockers

Everyone has the potential for swagger, but various psychological blockers can hinder it. Understanding these blockers is essential for unleashing your true self.

Persona

Persona is the first swagger blocker. Many of us create a conscious separation between our true selves and the personas we present to the world, especially in professional settings. This facade hides our uniqueness and value. Aligning your persona with your true self empowers you to step into your full potential.

“But the truth is, having a work persona hides our uniqueness and shrouds our value. When we align our persona as closely as possible with our true self, we can step into our power big-time.” - Leslie Ehm

Imagine a professional environment where everyone feels the need to conform to a particular image or standard. This often leads to individuals suppressing their unique qualities and strengths. Leslie emphasizes that by narrowing the gap between your true self and your work persona, you can unlock greater potential and authenticity. When your authentic self is at the forefront, you naturally attract the right opportunities and people who appreciate you for who you are, rather than the persona you project.

Ambition

Ambition, when misaligned with authenticity, can also block swagger. True ambition should drive you to be the best version of yourself for the right reasons, not just for titles or power. Authentic ambition is about determination and hard work, not sacrificing your true self.

“For ambition to be legit, it should never come at the cost of your authenticity.” - Leslie Ehm

In the competitive landscape of today's business world, ambition is often viewed as a necessary trait for success. However, Leslie cautions against the type of ambition that forces you to compromise your core values and authenticity. Authentic ambition means striving for excellence while staying true to yourself. It's about setting goals that reflect your genuine aspirations and working towards them with integrity. When ambition is driven by authenticity, it becomes a powerful force that propels you forward without eroding your sense of self.

Insecurity

Insecurity, the dreaded "what if," is self-doubt in action. These doubts are often ingrained from past experiences and external judgments. Overcoming insecurity involves retraining your brain to accept the truth rather than imagined fears. Embrace your worth and challenge self-doubt to release your swagger.