For years I believed the words of my father “you can’t.” His voice echoed in my head as I struggled with self-acceptance and self-confidence. Faced with losing my mom, losing my career and having to start over, I could have allowed myself to crumple under the weight of his words, or I could choose a different path. I had to choose to believe “Yes I can.” That choice allowed me to reclaim my power and manifest my leadership journey. That choice is  the reason I am where I am today.

Though we may no longer view leadership as something to “leave to the men,” we may believe leadership is reserved for women in the traditional workplace. Before we can step into our leadership role, we must believe we are not only worthy of leadership, we are wired for leadership.

It’s time for all women to step into our leadership role. 

• Creators, artists, musicians and any woman who's "why" doesn't fit traditional expectations.
• CEOs, entrepreneurs, restaurant workers and everything in between. 
• Moms of all kinds AND women who don’t want children.
• Those who are struggling to make ends meet to the women who are at the pinnacle of financial success.

Start Leading by Choosing to Believe “Yes I Can”

The choice to believe “Yes I can” was the first step on my leadership journey. The second was to start doing and continue making that intentional choice to believe “Yes I can.” Now I know I am a leader - I’m not only worthy of leadership, I am good at it. When I believe  “Yes I can” and take it one day at a time, it allows me to continue to grow my business, and enables me to keep going when things get tough or after making inevitable mistakes.

Empowered - Personal empowerment is about taking control of your own life, and making positive decisions based on what you want. It's closely linked to attributes like self-esteem and self-confidence , but true empowerment comes when you convert intention into action.

‍You are Wired for Empowered Leading

Believing yes I can is important, but to be effective leaders we must be empowered leaders. An empowered leader takes control,  makes decisions and takes decisive action. I believe empowered leading begins with self awareness. 

Knowing ourselves is crucial to being an effective leader.. Much like yoga and meditation, self-awareness is a practice. It is intentionally tapping into a place to better understand your strengths and weaknesses, your values, your passions, your feelings, your thoughts and your “why.”

As leaders, we must recognize there will be setbacks. Mistakes, simply not having the knowledge or circumstances beyond our control can cause setbacks. Self-awareness allows us to recognize valuable – and sometimes painful – lessons so we may learn and choose once again to say “Yes I can”  and strengthen our resolve to keep going.

Another key aspect of leadership is being open to ideas, feedback and different ways of doing things. I am very independent and opinionated – just ask Nina, I’m not always open the first time a new idea is broached – but I usually manage to come around to it eventually. Having self-awareness allows us to pause, listen, and recognize when our lack of openness comes from our ego or wanting to control all aspects of a situation.

Leadership Traits to Embody

Some valuable lessons I’ve learned over the years about being a leader:

• Say the hard things with compassion. 
• Do the hard things without giving up.
• Know when to take a break and actually take it.
• Know when to push and when to back down.
• Follow your intuition above all else.
• Respond instead of react sometimes time is all it takes.
• Let go of good opportunities and focus on the great ones.
• Know when to say no, say it with conviction.

Step Into Empowered Leadership in Your Own Life

You are born to lead, but in the day-to-day reality of life and the messages received from society, you may believe your leadership skills are neither valued or even wanted.