YOU ARE ASTONISHING – SEVEN QUALITIES TO HELP SHINE YOUR LEADER LIGHT
New and Emerging Leaders –
So this Sunday morning I was sitting on my patio doodling with some chalk and created this little piece of art and from it spilled this article…
Have you ever been afraid to be who you really are? Have you stood in a place and held back with your heart racing and not say the truth that was coming in…and then thinking you would say it later? Yet when you wait you cannot recall it because it is lost. It came in a flash, you were so sure it was the right thing to say, yet you stopped yourself? What was that? What made you lose the moment?
How many times have you dimmed your light? How much longer will you stop the beauty of you from coming forth? It is now time that you stood up for who you are so that the inner light that wants to shine and give wings to others by your words or actions is actualized. Be not afraid to be who you are because this is the only chance you have at expressing what your soul came here to birth. Your time is now. It is not later or “I need to be better prepared” or “I am not certain yet.” It is now. The longer you wait the harder it will be. Because every time you say no to yourself or do not express your capabilities you lose some wattage.
“There is no comparison; there is only contribution”
I know. I am writing this because I have hidden my light thinking someone else’s light was better. I held back thinking what I had to say may not be a contribution. I stopped myself in the presence of those who are bright and brilliant, successful and articulate, not getting that what I had to say was from me and my own gifts and it needed to also be said in the way I would express it. The one or the many that needed to hear what I had to offer were waiting. There is no comparison; there is only contribution. Think about that…
Even now I have to remind myself to make the demand of myself to show up, speak up and be seen. Running a business is different from having a corporate name behind you. Staying hidden, over preparing, over analyzing creates frustration. It also stymies are own growth and stops others from benefiting.
What is the cost? How can we measure a lost opportunity? For me it may have been a new project or new client, it could have been a wonderful relationship. Speaking up is often not easy yet it is necessary.
Strength comes from within, desire as well, and when you are tired enough of being unseen, when you finally get that if you don’t speak and shine your light, multitudes will miss their opportunities – yes, you could be that powerful! What will it take for you to move out of your own way?
In a generalized sense if you do this in one area of your life, you are doing it in all areas of your life. This is especially tough if you are a leader or an emerging leader and you wonder why you are not being seen or heard. You wonder why you are not considered for bigger projects, to mentor others or to be promoted to the position you have been training to take over.
Example from corporate:
Here is a short example from my corporate background on how this works. I was a highly successful Regional Sales Manager being considered for a Director of Sales position and felt that my counterpart was more qualified than me because he had a higher level of education, not because his track record was better; it was not. It was my lack of confidence and belief in me and my failure to articulate why I was the best for the position. I held back. I was truly the best person for the position. In my heart of hearts I knew this, just didn’t say it.
Afterthought – I learned later from the President that he thought I was the best candidate and because I did not, he did not choose me. It was not until a few years later when I knew, felt it, “got it” and spoke up for myself that I moved into the position that was the most rewarding of my corporate career.
So what does it take to be who you are wherever you go? What qualities might help you be the leader you desire to be, the person who shows up every day?
• Confidence – by being who you are, standing in your potency and not moving from your core beliefs and values you are able to be a true contribution. Confidence includes loyalty – to you and your talents, gifts and strengths.
• Resilience – rise from every set-back and be able to look at it with detachment. Resilience includes buoyancy and elasticity. See the setback as an opportunity to expand both your point of view and the meaning put on the experience. Come back stronger.
• Audacity – I love audacious – it means to be bold, daring, brave and courageous.When you dare to be all of who you are it is amazing how people respond. And even better #1 above – confidence – soars!
• Belief – take your convictions and certainty forward to the benefit of others. Be true to your values and gifts, express them!
• Risk – taking a risk opens the doors for new ways to see things and it may be that the risk you take is the exact solution someone was seeking. Taking a risk means pushing boundaries and expanding views.
• Knowing – when you know that you know, and you have something that has value as a contribution, you must make the demand of yourself to share. Be intentional, conscious and aware.
• Vulnerability – being willing to expose your true self by expressing yourself in ways you have not yet done so. Realize that without this quality you may remain silent; not understanding you can be invincible in your vulnerability.
Remember you are astonishing and your voice is needed.
What else would you add to this list? What did it take for you to start speaking up and offering your gifts, talents and strengths? What results did you experience? Where are you now that you have learned to stand in your authenticity and express your strengths and gifts?
#leadership #vulnerability #courage #strength #emerging leaders #astonishing #newtoleadership #newleaders
Kathy Holdaway – Owner
