334. Are You Living as Yourself? The Tension Between Belonging & Authenticity - Tayyaba Jordan
What if the person you've worked so hard to become isn't quite the person you really are?We all want to belong. But what happens when fitting in means hiding parts of ourselves, quieting our voices, or living according to someone else's expectations?In this episode of Girl, Take the Lead!, Yo welcomes Tayyaba Jordan, peak performance coach and founder of Lead Like a Human, for a thoughtful conversation about belonging, authenticity, intuition, and self-trust.Growing up in a predominantly white community in Essex, England, with South Asian heritage, Tayyaba became curious about what it meant to be "normal." That early experience of navigating different identities sparked a lifelong interest in understanding people, their behaviors, and the ways our environments shape who we become.After spending 20 years as a television set designer, Tayyaba transitioned into coaching. For the past decade, she's worked with senior leaders, helping them navigate the pressures of success while reconnecting with their values, creativity, and sense of self.In This Episode, We Explore:Belonging vs. authenticity: What happens when fitting in comes at the expense of being ourselves?The meaning of "normal": How our upbringing, cultural experiences, and environments shape our expectations.Self-silencing: Why we sometimes hold back our opinions, needs, or ideas to maintain acceptance.Success vs. fulfillment: Why achieving what we're supposed to want doesn't always leave us feeling satisfied.Creativity and possibility: How fear, expectations, and the need for approval can limit our choices.Intuition, instinct, and self-trust: What changes when we stop looking outside ourselves for every answer?Small changes, meaningful shifts: Why authenticity doesn't necessarily mean starting over.Advice to our younger selves: Tayyaba reflects on what she would tell her 20-something self today.Three Questions Worth Asking OurselvesDuring the conversation, Tayyaba offers three deceptively simple questions:Do you know what you want out of life?Do you know what direction you're heading in?Are you happy?They invite us to consider whether we're living intentionally—or simply following a path that once seemed expected of us.A Few TakeawaysBelonging doesn't have to mean becoming someone else.Authenticity doesn't require changing everything.Self-trust can help us find our way.About Tayyaba JordanTayyaba Jordan is a peak performance and leadership coach and founder of Lead Like a Human. With a background spanning two decades in television set design and more than ten years coaching senior leaders, she brings a creative, human-centered perspective to leadership and personal development.Her work focuses on helping individuals reconnect with themselves, challenge limiting expectations, and create greater alignment between who they are and how they live and lead.Connect with Tayyaba:Instagram: @tayyaba_jordanLinkedIn: Tayyaba JordanHashtags: #LeadLikeAHuman #AlignedMethodComing Next on Girl, Take the Lead!In Sound Bite #334, "Self-Trust: What If I Get It Wrong?", Yo reflects on a question inspired by this conversation:What happens when our fear of getting something wrong—or disappointing someone—keeps us from speaking up?We'll explore how old fears can shape our responses, why avoiding conflict doesn't always create peace, and how compassionate curiosity can help us begin trusting ourselves in difficult conversations.Connect with Girl, Take the Lead!Website: https://girltaketheleadpod.comYouTube: @GirlTaketheLeadInstagram: @yocannyLinkedIn: Yo CannyFacebook Group: Girl, Take the Lead!Listen to more conversations and Sound Bites wherever you enjoy your podcasts.Listen inward. Lead outward.#GirlTakeTheLead #TayyabaJordan #Authenticity #Belonging #SelfTrust #WomenInLeadership #LeadLikeAHuman #AlignedMethod