Where are you holding back in your message? Where are you not fully expressed in what you want to share? Where are you scared to put it all out there? 

These were the questions my mentor recently asked me when I met with her and my peers in the two-year program I joined last December ‘23. These questions arose because I raised my concern that so many of the women I interact with in my business are not stepping up to their fullest potential, and she challenged me to reflect on how I am showing up when I’m with them.

As someone whose Why is to achieve my full potential and support my loved ones and clients in attaining theirs, this is at the core of my purpose. 

What is it that holds us back from really speaking our voices? 

As I ask you, I’m also asking myself—what’s holding me back from speaking my truth to achieve my fullest potential and make my dreams come true? That’s what I’d love to discuss with you today.

Realizing Our Potential by Confronting Our Fears

The #1 fear holding me back from saying what’s really in my heart and mind is the fear of rejection—the fear that people may say, “Hmm, I disagree with what Ginny has to say about that. What she said feels crunchy to me.”

In the past, this has held me back from speaking my truth as often as I would have liked to impact the talented women I support. Yet, I know that every single woman I meet whether through the leadership development sessions I host or programs I deliver for our partners, holds immense potential. And I feel deeply passionate about this because, like them, I haven’t always believed in my potential.

One of my dear clients and mastermind participants has repeatedly told me, “Ginny, you could see in me what no one else could. You gave me a chance. You provided me with tools and strategies that I can use to discover who I am and what I have to offer and then go after my dreams.” 

Ultimately, my number one goal is to live my purpose, fulfill my potential, and bring my dreams to reality. I want you to be able to do the same.

Many of us, at some point, have experienced a moment where we wake up, look around us, and think, “Is this really it?” After all these years of working so hard, achieving society’s definition of success, “Is this all there is?” At some point, I questioned, what is this all about? You wake up, brush your teeth, and head to work. Manage your teams, deliver projects, come home, care for your family, and repeat it all the next day. “Really? Is this it for the rest of my life?”

That realization hit hard. I couldn’t accept that this was all there was. It led me down a path of self-exploration, a journey into my soul to figure out who I am, why I am here, and what’s getting in my way.

Getting in Our Own Way

Whenever I host a strategy call with one of my potential clients, we analyze their top three challenges, how that feels in their careers, and clarify their 12-month vision. 

I commonly hear from them about frustration, angst, feeling stuck, feeling overwhelmed, feeling like there’s no path forward, and not knowing what to do next. 

When they share their empowering visions for their future, they envision themselves contributing at a much higher level. 

• They are bringing in new products and services and enhancing processes. 
• They are creating and increasing their company’s revenues, building teams where the teams feel supported.
• They’re coaching and mentoring their teams, enriching their skill sets, becoming better leaders, and improving in everything they do.

When they describe their vision in career and personal lives, they light up—as if it’s breathing oxygen into their lungs. And then I ask them, “What’s getting in the way of that vision?” And 98% of the time, the answer is, “Me, Ginny. I’m getting in my own way.”

Many women I speak with struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or simply not taking action. They acknowledge, “I need to change what I’m doing to see different results.” We both walk away resolved to take inspired action and create a more compelling future that supports their vision. The ones who can overcome self-doubt long enough see their worth and potential and choose to do something about it and keep growing. We welcome them with open hearts and minds.

Embracing Authentic Change

While this conversation has focused on individual women, it also extends to our organizations. 

As senior leaders in our organizations, we need to take a hard look at the results we are currently getting and reflect on what might be holding those results back. As I’ve discussed before, it’s essential to ask yourself and your team, “What is getting in the way?” Are the solutions we’ve relied on in the past few years still delivering the ROI and results we need? If not, what is making us hold on to these ineffective methods? It’s time for senior leadership to have honest and authentic conversations about what needs to change.

Let’s ask, “What do we truly need from our talent?” and “What are we afraid of when it comes to expressing our true needs?” These questions are critical because they allow us to identify the gaps and fears that might be preventing us from achieving our full potential. 

Just as I encourage individuals to delve into their purpose and what’s holding them back, as people, leaders, and especially women, we must continue to engage with each other about what is holding us back. I urge organizations to explore these questions with vulnerability, love, and compassion. 

Only by understanding the root causes can we create innovative solutions that genuinely deliver the outcomes we seek. Let’s commit to making those necessary changes today for a more prosperous and fulfilling tomorrow. If you need support, reach out to me at info@executivebound.com.

This is a broader conversation than the brief training I’m providing today, and I’m deeply passionate about it. I’m here to support you as I discover what is keeping me from sharing these messages more often, and I am committing to doing so going forward. 

If you want to provide your female leaders with the tools and strategies they need to remove the inner conflicts and the self-doubt that creeps in constantly for many of us women, that’s preventing us from really showing up fully to the workplace and becoming the visionary leaders that we have the potential to be, invite them to join me at the complimentary Women’s Fearless Leadership Masterclass in November 2024. 

I’ll be hosting the Masterclass in two leadership development sessions, focusing on owning their vision and unique value, cultivating allies and support networks, and creating a clear roadmap for their growth. If this sounds appealing to you, all you have to do is send them to www.FearlessLeadershipMasterclass.com 

As a former VIP member, check your inbox for info@executivebound.com and simply click the link “I’m in!” to register for November. 

Thanks for being on this journey with us. I look forward to supporting you in creating a fulfilling career and life and helping your organization thrive.

Live with purpose, live with joy!

Coach Ginny