About My Philosophy
This page is a collection of thoughts and beliefs that I'd heard spoken inside me over the years.
Some were whispered, some were spoken, some were screamed.
All wanted to be expressed in the world.
The Rise of Quietly Ambitious Leaders
I work with quietly ambitious leaders.
The ones determined and driven to succeed, but don't feel the need to boast about accomplishments or compete with others to prove their worth.
They may not always seek the spotlight or public recognition for their accomplishments. They're not motivated to chase titles.
They're driven by a deep sense of personal satisfaction.
They're motivated by a desire to make a positive impact in their organizations, communities and the world.
They want to be authentic in how they show up and feel good about advocating for themselves.
And this is their time to shine.
Here are my core beliefs in terms of The Rise of Quietly Ambitious Leaders.
Fundamentally, I believe that:
We need more diversity in the rooms where decisions are made.
Representation Matters.
Everyone deserves to love their Monday morning.
The Core Foundations of My Programs Are...
Self-Discovery
I believe you can't be true to yourself until you've spent time getting to know yourself.
Authenticity
I believe that authenticity in the workplace is when you genuinely believe in how you're showing up and what you're saying. You are not putting on a front or saying something you don't believe. This is why I believe you can show up in many different ways and still be authentic. You aren't putting on a mask, you are drawing forth something that already exists inside of you.
Self-Belief
I believe you don't need to compromise or change yourself to move into a leadership role. On the contrary - I believe you need to be more of yourself.
Respect
I believe that to be seen as a leader, you must first see yourself as a leader.
Leadership
I believe that leadership is a process and skill to be learned, developed and honed. I believe that it is unhelpful and even harmful to impose beliefs about what leadership looks like, sounds like or acts like. I believe that leadership is best understood in its simplest and purest form: the ability to influence a group of people to go above and beyond what’s expected. And I believe that everyone does it a little bit differently.
A Seat at the Table
I believe that the system wasn’t designed for quietly ambitious professionals. Unconscious bias exists alongside structural inequities. And I believe that even in this system, you can create your own space. You can bring your own seat to the table.
Imposter Syndrome Is Not Your Fault
I believe that "imposter syndrome" is a catch phrase that is better understood as imposter message. Sometimes it may be your internal narrative (traditional "imposter syndrome"), but typically the imposter messages are implicit and explicit stories you've been told that you don't belong. They may be stories from childhood, but they're also rife within the workplace and society at large.
Because of that, imposter syndrome is not your fault, and you cannot let it define you.
You owe the world more than that. You have a voice that’s meant to be heard. You deserve to love your Monday mornings.
Joy
I believe that instead of shrinking from the system, you are better served to find your courage and take control. I believe that you can do it without compromising yourself or your values. And I believe you can do it with a joyful energy.
Your Energy Is Everything
When you want to be seen as a leader, the ENERGY behind how you show up is critical.
Being aware and managing your energy allows you to feel confident & poised showing up with your unique leadership presence in a way that will be noticed.
You’ll feel motivated.
You’ll get noticed.
And you’ll make a difference.
In terms of career advancement, here's what I believe.
- 1I believe you can stand out without being loud or pushy.
- 2I believe it doesn't have to be hard.
- 3I believe strategy matters more than tactics, but even the best strategy won't work without strong mindset.
- 4I believe your career growth is a cycle, not a ladder.
- 5I believe that taking control of your energy when you advocate for yourself and your career is the single most powerful way to make an impact, find fulfilment, and advance your career.
- 6I believe curiosity can be eroded when exposed to certainty and skepticism. This creates ideal conditions for self-doubt and hesitation to grow.
- 7I believe you need to stop valuing other people's opinions of you more than your own.
- 8I believe the best leader is a reluctant leader.
- 9I believe everyone is weird.
In terms of career advancement, here's what I believe.
- 1I believe it doesn't have to be hard.
- 2I believe strategy matters more than tactics, but even the best strategy won't work without courage and strong mindset.
- 3I believe your career growth is a cycle, not a ladder.
- 4I believe curiosity can be eroded when exposed to the harsh light of unquestioning certainty and dismissive skepticism. This creates ideal conditions for self-doubt and hesitation to grow.
- 5I believe you need to stop valuing other people's opinions of you more than your own.
- 6I believe the best leader is a reluctant leader.
- 7I believe everyone is weird.
My Call to You
Representation matters and we need diverse voices in the rooms where decisions are being made.
We need YOUR voice.
You deserve to be in that room.
Believe in yourself, unconditionally.
Listen to yourself, unreservedly.
Show yourself, unapologetically.
Above all...
Be yourself and never let anyone dim your shine.
Think we might be a good fit or want more content?
Here's how to go further with me.
Get The Quietly Ambitious Leader Toolkit
Pick up my toolkit with five resources for Quietly Ambitious Leaders.
