One thing leaders can learn from kids who believe in Santa
Christmas is right around the corner, and there’s a 14-foot Santa proudly occupying my front lawn. He’s a bright, undeniable beacon to every passerby that we are serious about this holiday.
And here’s the thing about Santa—kids believe in him without question.
They believe…
There’s a jolly man in red with unlimited access to presents.
There’s a magical list that knows if they’ve been naughty or nice.
There are flying reindeer, one with a shiny red nose that doubles as a headlight.
There’s no chimney too small for Santa’s generously sized belly.
Why do they believe it?
Because we tell them it’s real.
And the wildest part? They don’t need proof. The story alone, said with enough conviction, makes it true in their minds.
Here’s the twist:
It’s not just kids. Adults believe things without proof, too—when it’s said with confidence.
Let me show you.
Picture this: A room of 80 people is shown this image: two circles, side by side.
The prompt: “The circles are not identical. Vote on which one is smaller.”
The room split 50/50—half the people swore the left circle was smaller; the other half bet it was the right. Conviction on both sides.
The truth?
The circles were identical.
But when someone tells us there’s a difference, we start seeing one. Even when it doesn’t exist.
Comedian Aziz Ansari did something similar. He once told a wild story on stage about seeing a pizza with pepperoni slices that that were placed to looked eerily like a swastika. Some said it was inappropriate, but he thought it looked like a normal pepperoni pizza. People laughed, gasped, and nodded along—then voted on what they thought, including having admitted they saw all the drama unfold in a newspaper.
But guess what?
He made it all up. Watch it here.
The story wasn’t real. But people bought it—with conviction.
Kids are not alone. Adults will believe anything if you tell them with confidence.
Here's the big bottom line -
People will:
Doubt their own judgment when authority or consensus says otherwise.
See patterns or differences where none exist.
Believe “truths” without evidence, if they’re delivered with confidence.
And here’s where it gets powerful—what happens when you turn this belief inward?
If we’re wired to believe what others say with confidence, imagine the magic that happens when we speak to ourselves with the same authority.
When you tell yourself:
“This was the right decision for me.”
“I’m on the right track.”
“I’ve handled challenges before; I’ll handle this too.”
“Every step I take is moving me closer to where I want to be.”
“I am capable, resourceful, and resilient.”
“I don’t need to have all the answers to move forward.”
It’s not blind optimism. It’s not delusion.
It’s self-leadership.
It’s the quiet, steady voice that turns doubt into trust. Uncertainty into clarity. Hesitation into momentum.
Because when you start believing in your own story—your own resilience, your own progress—you create the results you’re looking for.
Here’s the thing: At some point, we outgrow Santa. The story fades. The magic expires.
No one is sneaking into my house to leave wrapped-up presents (and honestly, if they did, I’d call the cops).
But the magic of belief? That’s real—and it doesn’t expire.
When a thought sneaks in like…
“I’m failing.”
“I’m not doing enough.”
“I’ll never get there.”
Try this: Tell yourself the opposite— with confidence, with authority, like it’s already true.
Because just like Santa, belief doesn’t need proof to work.
Belief builds results.
Belief rewrites your story.
And that’s the big leadership play—
Leading yourself with the same conviction and authority you’d follow from someone you trust.
Because when you choose to believe in yourself—boldly, unapologetically, and without waiting for proof—
You rewrite the story you’re living.
You create momentum where there was doubt.
You take action before the results show up.
So next time a thought like “I’m failing” or “I’m not enough” sneaks in, pause.
And replace it with:
“I’m leading myself forward, step by step.”
That’s how leaders transform:
They tell themselves the story that moves them forward.
And then they go out and make it true.
My best, always,
Shar