602: How To Walk Through The World As The Woman You Are Becoming

About 10 years ago I went on a bit of a shopping spree at Banana Republic. I was on a mission to buy “speaker clothes” - some slacks, blouses, and a cardigan or two. I considered a blazer, but that seemed too presumptuous of a speaking career I did not yet have. The blazer would come a few years later. I delighted in making space in my closet for my crisp new speaker clothes. At the time, I was a gym owner. I wore workout clothes (often sweaty ones) all day #everydamnday. But I knew I wanted to be a speaker. On stages. Any stage would do. So, I started walking through life as if I were a speaker. I bought the clothes, planned some talks, applied to speak at some events, added “Speaker” to my email signature and website.  It would be awhile before I actually got to speak in front of anyone outside of the gym I owned, where I was definitely already a speaker (as well as coach, motivator, and maybe even part preacher), but not the Banana Republic slacks wearing kind.  Trying to get on stages would eventually get under my skin - as I saw so many men land the speaking gigs I was applying for.  Ultimately, I launched my podcast, this podcast, in order to step into my role as a Speaker. I stopped waiting for others to invite me to their Banana Republic stages and I built my own damn stage. I had been walking through the world as a speaker for years waiting for invitations when I realized that I didn’t need anyone’s invitation. I only needed my own permission. In this episode, I share 4 ways you can practice walking through the world as the woman you are becoming. Perhaps you are becoming a Banana Republic wear speaker. Perhaps something totally different. No matter what, you deserve to walk through the world clear and confident about who you are and where you are going - without expecting or waiting for anyone else’s invitation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging. In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader. Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.