Redefining Success: The Moment I Had To Lean In

I have only ever known entrepreneurship. I was born into a family full of people who work for themselves and are fairly happy to take risks. As such, I too ended up working for myself most of my life (except for a 10-year career in TV production – which is kind of like working for yourself).

 

I absolutely knew I was making this choice because I didn’t want to have to fit in. I’m not very good at not being fully self-expressed or wearing a mask. Whilst I have always thought of myself as pretty darn lucky, even courageous, deep down I don’t think it’s entirely true.

 

I am not lucky; I made a choice to avoid environments where I would have to wear a mask.

 

The fact that I have avoided workplaces like this sounds smart, but in fact, in many ways, it has held back my success.

I told myself stories that I wasn’t smart enough to work in corporate, or that I wouldn’t understand the language they talked.

I was SURE that I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth shut if I didn’t agree with something, not swear, or at the very least would struggle with the pace things move (which is not fast enough for my liking!)

 

So all these ideas I had held me back from believing that the quality of my work could possibly belong in the big mysterious world of corporate!

 

When the Universe Decides to Give You a Nudge (or a Shove)

 

At the start of 2023, I had developed the Impact Alchemy, and had at least 10 women who had worked in corporate before through the program.

 

My dream was to get this program into corporate spaces because I knew that was where this work (of owning your uniqueness to amplify your impact) would have the greatest pay-off. I could make real change there.

 

But my stories were holding me back. My stories about how I talked too much, I wasn’t refined enough, I didn’t know the right vocab…

 

All things that no doubt I was told throughout my life because whatever I was doing didn’t suit someone else at the time!

 

But I held on to the dream, of someday – somehow – I would find a way to fit into the corporate space and be courageous enough to call myself a leadership trainer in the corporate space.

 

With this vision, the universe supported me, and I was nominated in the Future Women member group of over 24,000 women working in organisations, not small business, to do a talk at their 2023 Leadership Summit.

 

It was a 10-minute Lightning Talk.

 

I was freaking out but so proud of myself. I knew this was the start of overcoming this imposter syndrome I had been experiencing.

But the universe really wanted to make sure I wanted it, so I broke my wrist a week earlier. I was still pretty drugged up, unable to use my left arm, but I pushed through the flight, suitcases, dressing myself, using MacGyver-like contraptions to do up my bra!

 

Rocking It with a Broken Wrist: Because Why Not?

 

I got on the stage and absolutely rocked it. Among the incredible company on the stage, most of the speeches were more formal and serious. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to compete with stats and political views, so I claimed my space as an intuitive, unique, entertaining, funny, expressive performer. And I inspired the fuck out of 250 women and men in the room.

That 10 mins made so much of an impression I was interviewed by Sally and Tarang of Future Women the next day on their podcast.

 

I was right. Owning my uniqueness amplified my impact. I stood out like a dog’s dinner in that room.

 

I was also right that by leaning into the discomfort, it was the start of something.

 

Since this interview, I have been asked twice to speak at the Australian Hotels Association (a connection I made in the room in Sydney). I have spoken on uniqueness on at least 3 stages since for local councils, other people’s platforms etc.

 

But I was doing that stuff before the Lightning Talk.

 

What I wasn’t doing, and what I am super excited to be trusted with…

 

From Outsider to Corporate Leadership Trainer

 

I am now officially a leadership trainer – with one of the most unique programs for Corporate women – working with a pioneering energy company in Victoria, to take 15 of their leaders through the Impact Alchemy. With the view to do another 35 in the new year!

 

OWN YOUR UNIQUENESS. AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT.

 

The. end.