Article Title: The Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back
Author: Muriel Wilkins
Source: Harvard Business Review November-December 2025
Link: https://hbr.org/2025/11/the-hidden-beliefs-that-hold-leaders-back
Introduction
This article does exactly as the title says, which is that it looks at the hidden beliefs that hold leaders back.
The first point the author makes is that when leaders hit a wall, they often look externally for answers. Lack of customer demand, something wrong with their team, not enough resources are a few examples that I hear when I am coaching dental professionals. Yet, actually, the answer often lies within the leader and their own unproductive beliefs which prevent them from moving forward.
These beliefs are hidden as they are so ingrained that the leader is unaware that they exist. Sometimes they are called limiting beliefs as they are literally limiting your ability to perform and move forward.
Seven most common hidden beliefs
The author identifies the seven most common blockers that she has found through an analysis of more than 300 leaders.:
1. I need to be involved
The belief that you have to be involved in everything at every level and detail.
2. I need it done now
You need immediate results, which creates false urgency, rushed execution and increased errors.
3. I know I’m right
The belief that only you know the right answer, which shuts down collaboration and misses input from others.
4. I can’t make a mistake
The belief that your performance must be flawless which encourages unhealthy perfectionism.
5. If I can do it, so can you
The belief that the performance of others must be like yours, which leads to unrealistic expectations and stifles creativity.
6. I can’t say no
The belief that you must always step up to the plate when asked, which leads to overwork and poor boundary setting.
7. I don’t belong here
The belief that you don’t belong where you are, which fuels debilitating imposter syndrome and reduces your ability to communicate effectively.
I have come across all of these in working with dental practice leaders. Which of these common beliefs perhaps applies to you?
Three step framework to help unblock these belief
To help unblock these beliefs the author suggests a three step framework.
Uncover
Recognising the problem and naming the belief that is creating it. This can be especially difficult as a dental practice leader. As a dental practice principal you often don’t have anybody giving you any feedback. You don’t have a boss as such and sometimes team members may be reluctant to give you direct feedback.
Taking time to reflect and working with a coach are great ways to help you uncover the blocker. Are there any in the list above that apply to you?
As an example, perhaps you are feeling completely overwhelmed and as a result things are starting to be missed and errors made. This could be down to a belief that you need to be involved in everything at every level, which is common for many dental practice leaders.
Unpack
You unpack the belief by reflecting on where it came from and how it might have once served you and how it is limiting you now.
In the case of being involved in everything, some of this may well have come from your education, especially as a dentist, where you are taught the importance of checking everything yourself and control. This is very understandable when it comes to performing a clinical procedure and has served you well in the past. The thing is it will hold you back in terms of the running of the dental practice. You won’t be delegating effectively, which means your team members won’t feel empowered, you won’t be running an effective practice and everything will be down to you.
Unblock
You reframe the belief into something more productive and embed that new perspective into. behavioural changes.
As an example, rather than I have to be involved in everything, you can reframe this to: I am overall responsible for the dental practice I lead and the best way of doing this is to work closely and empower those around me to also take responsibility. You then start delegating appropriately and working closely with your key team members.
Help others
Over time you can then start to use this to help coach your team members when they have hit a wall.
As a leadership coach focusing on dental practice leaders I can help you unblock the hidden beliefs that are holding you back. Click here to book a call to discuss your hidden belief and how I can help.