Recently, my coach—someone I admire deeply for her success and accomplishments—shared something that truly resonated with me.
She revealed that she has been working for years to overcome a serious case of stage fright. Despite appearing calm, confident, and self-assured in every call and event I’ve seen her lead, she has quietly been on her own journey of finding her voice, speaking her truth, and working through the physical and mental hurdles that come with public speaking.
Her honesty was such a powerful reminder: we all have struggles. And those struggles don’t make us less capable, less professional, or less of a leader. In fact, they often make us more relatable, more inspiring, and more connected to others.
When we’re brave enough to share what we’re working through, we discover something amazing—our challenges are often not ours alone. They are shared by many, and by speaking them out loud, we create connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Think about it: if our most admired mentors and guides—those who seem so poised and polished—have struggles just like we do, maybe we’re all on the same path to growth and success together.
And even if our challenges are not the same, what matters is that we all have them. Seeing someone we respect navigate their own obstacles with honesty and courage reminds us that being human is not a weakness—it’s an inspiration.
My Own Challenge: Speaking Up Around Authority
My coach’s story also reminded me of something I’ve wrestled with for years—finding my voice around people I see as authority figures.
For me, this often shows up in subtle ways: hesitating to share my ideas, softening my words, or second-guessing myself before I speak. It’s as if some old part of me still believes that my thoughts and contributions aren’t “enough” when I’m in the presence of someone with more experience, more knowledge, or more status.
This has been a personal area of growth—learning to trust my own perspective, to speak with clarity and confidence, and to remember that my voice matters just as much as anyone else’s. And while it’s still something I practice every day, I’ve come to realize that the very act of speaking up, even imperfectly, is an important step toward my own growth and leadership.
Time to Reflect
What challenges have you faced that hold you back from reaching a personal or professional goal?
- Do you experience stage fright, like my coach?
- Do you struggle to find your voice in front of people you see as authority figures, like I do?
- Do you long to write, sing, speak, or share your art more boldly, but fear gets in the way?
Whatever your challenge is, I invite you to reflect:
- What steps have you taken to move through it?
- Are you still working on it, or have you found strategies that helped you overcome it?
- What have you learned from the journey?
💬 I’d love to hear your story. Share your experience in the comments below—you never know who needs to hear it.
Because here’s the truth: your humanity doesn’t take away from your leadership—it’s what makes it real, powerful, and inspiring.
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