The Freedom of Redefining Success
Founder’s Story: The “Why” Behind the Creation of Collective Confidence, LLC
Loneliness and isolation take on many different forms. Here are some truths I’ve learned over the years:
It can be incredibly lonely at the head of an organization.
It feels isolating when you enter meeting after meeting as the only woman at the leadership table.
Bucking the status quo inside an organization where fitting in is the name of the game can be soul sucking.
I know because I’ve been there.
I’ve been “at the table,” in the meetings you want to be in, and held my tongue instead of speaking up. I’ve traded moments with my family for late flights and weekend travel because it was an expectation of my role. I’ve numbed my emotions, beaten myself up over public bouts of tears, and lost the courage to voice my truth. I’ve worked really hard to fit in.
I’ve also achieved what was thought to be unachievable, worked elbow to elbow with amazing teammates to transform a business, coached even the most stoic leaders to lean in to their vulnerability, and experienced periods of pure joy through the realization of a team goal. I’ve brought my whole self to work.
What was the difference?
How I led.
While the environment may have been a factor, I realized how I showed up in all aspects of myself - my mindset, my behaviors and my feelings - was key. The lousy days were led by the imposter within, leaving me feeling numb as I attempted to to fight through the isolation alone. The joyful days were led by the authentic me, thriving on connection, enlivened and energetic.
What have I learned?
To achieve more than what is possible when battling life on our own, we need community. We need to be surrounded by men and women who inspire us to be authentic, build our confidence, and challenge us to empower ourselves and others.
I believe isolated confidence can get you so far. Collective confidence can propel and sustain you. Said differently, alone we have power. Collectively we have impact.
Lonely is a lousy way to live. I bet you think so, too. I invite you to join me in letting it go. Become the authentic leader you dreamed of becoming when you were a child by embracing, not fighting, your unique strengths. Demonstrate to your team that even the bigwig takes self-development seriously.
You can lead the way in evolving yourself and your organization to become a more humane workplace.
What will you get in return? A level of freedom you’ve never given yourself permission to feel alongside a fulfillment that was impossible to experience when striving, and stumbling, on your own.