When Limitation Feels Like a Barrier
There are moments in life that shape you long before you understand why they matter.
For me, one of those moments happened in kindergarten.
The Day My Limitation Was Put on Display
I was sitting in class, working on an art project.
Like many kindergartners, I was trying to find the supplies I needed—specifically, glue sticks. But I couldn’t see where they were.
Being legally blind, I experienced the classroom differently than the other students. So I did what I thought I was supposed to do.
I asked for help.
What happened next is something I have never forgotten.
My teacher walked over, took me by the back of the head, and physically guided me to the bucket where the glue sticks were. Then she shoved my head down toward them and said, in front of the entire class:
“There they are. Don’t forget it.”
In that moment, something shifted.
Not just because of what she did.
But because of what it meant.
The Weight of Shame
I remember feeling exposed.
Not just different—but singled out.
What had always been my quiet limitation—my vision—was suddenly put on display for everyone to see.
And it wasn’t handled with care.
It was handled with force, frustration, and embarrassment.
I felt shame.
I felt like the spotlight was on me—but for all the wrong reasons.
And I began to carry a new internal message:
If this is my weakness… then I have to overcome it.
I have to prove myself.
I have to make sure this never happens again.
When Limitation Feels Like Isolation
That moment didn’t exist in isolation.
Growing up, I often felt like I didn’t quite belong.
I wasn’t picked for teams at recess.
I didn’t naturally find my place in social groups.
I often felt like I was on the outside looking in.
Even in environments where accommodations were made for me, there was still a cost.
I would leave the classroom to take tests in a separate space.
Sometimes that felt helpful—quiet, focused.
But other times, it was just another reminder:
You are not like everyone else.
You don’t quite fit here.
And over time, that feeling begins to shape how you see yourself.
The Hidden Narrative Leaders Carry
Many leaders carry a story like this.
Not always the same details—but the same feeling.
A moment where:
- weakness was exposed
- difference was highlighted
- belonging felt uncertain
And without realizing it, those moments form a narrative:
I have to work harder.
I have to prove myself.
I have to compensate for what I lack.
That narrative can drive achievement.
But it can also create pressure.
And over time, it can become exhausting.
What I Didn’t Understand Then
At that age, I didn’t have the language for what was happening.
I didn’t think in terms of leadership.
I didn’t think in terms of formation.
I only knew that I felt different.
And that I had to figure out how to navigate a world that didn’t always understand me.
But looking back now, I can see something I couldn’t see then.
Those moments weren’t just painful.
They were formative.
An Invitation to Reflect
If you’ve ever felt like your limitations set you apart…
If you’ve ever experienced the weight of being misunderstood or overlooked…
If you’ve ever carried the quiet pressure to prove yourself…
You’re not alone.
And more importantly—you’re not disqualified.
You may be in the early stages of something deeper.
Something that is still being formed.
Looking Ahead
In Part 2, I’ll share how those early experiences didn’t just create challenges—they shaped the way I lead today.
Because over time, I’ve learned something that I couldn’t have understood back then:
Limitation is not just something to overcome.
It can become one of the most powerful tools in leadership formation.
Work With Me
If your organization is seeking leadership development or looking to build a culture where leaders grow through real-life experience—not just theory—I would welcome the opportunity to connect.
Together, we can explore how leadership is formed through calling, limitation, and faithful influence.