The Courage of Self: Four Reminders on How to Stand Out in the Crowd
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The Courage of Self
Four Reminders on How to Stand Out in the Crowd
Presented by Compassionate Edge Counseling Services
Remaining true to ourselves as a woman in business brings with it challenges, especially when there are so many pressures and expectations coming at us from all directions. Consequently, it’s easy to get caught up in what we think others want us to be instead of embracing who we really are. This can negatively impact goal achievement, which is a detriment to ourselves, our businesses, and those we serve.
I was recently inspired by former Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman’s presentation about being authentic. In her presentation, she reminded us of the importance for women in business (as well as everyone else) to not conform to pre-existing societal templates or images, allowing us to stand out from the crowd as our authentic, whole self.
Here are four takeaways from her presentation that I found especially useful in my standing out in the crowd and achieving success with my goals.
1. Difference Shines. Being different can be a difficult thing to do, particularly when it goes against pre-existing social norms or expectations. However, stepping outside of the box and embracing our unique gifts and talents can help us become better versions of ourselves and reach our full potential. We cannot let fear of being different stop us from taking risks.
2. Challenge Cultural Conformity. It can be a daunting task remaining true to ourselves when facing feelings of inadequacy and fear of failure, bucking social expectations, being seen and heard, striving for a positive work-life balance, and dealing with workplace politics. Seeking out mentors or role models who have successfully navigated similar issues in their own lives can help provide guidance and support as we strive to stay true to ourselves.
3. Courageous Authenticity. Being authentic is counterintuitive but essential. It takes courage to take risks and find success in life without compromising who we are or giving into peer pressure. We must stay true to our values and beliefs even if they don't fit the mold of what society deems acceptable or successful.
4. Passion Persuades Action. It can be exhausting to walk the lonely road of leadership, but something miraculous happens when we do it correctly as our authentic self - we gain followers. Embracing our unique gifts, and letting our differences shine through, will help us become leaders that others look up to and want to follow.
It is okay to be different and stand out from the crowd. We should embrace our unique gifts and talents without fear of judgment, as this allows us to reach our full potential (and society needs to respect this). Being authentic is an act of courage, and one we must take if we want to achieve success in business and in life. Without it, we will never know what could have been.
Take the challenge with me: Let’s break away from pre-existing societal templates or images, find our own voice, and unapologetically stay true to who we are. I trust we will all be glad we did!
About the Author
Regina Rogers, LCPC, NCC, is the Founder & Clinical Director of Compassionate Edge Inc. For more information about their services visit www.compassionateedge.com.
