The Courage Connection: Your Voice Is Your Superpower

Welcome to The Courage Connection

Hi there, and welcome to the first edition of The Courage Connection! I’m Michal Tapia, a first-generation Latina, mother, professional, and doctoral candidate. My journey has been filled with challenges - navigating complex systems as a young and mid-career professional, finding my voice in spaces where I often felt intimidated and balancing my own ambitions with family and cultural expectations. Through it all, I’ve come to realize one powerful truth: your voice is your superpower.

I’m creating this newsletter to share stories, tools, and resources that inspire and empower you to embrace your own journey. Whether you’re an introvert, an underrepresented professional, or someone finding their place in a new role, I want to help you feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.

Your Voice Is Your Superpower

Your voice is the key to unlocking opportunities, advocating for your needs, and creating meaningful impact. But for so many of us, using our voice can feel like the hardest thing to do. Psychological safety, personal style, organizational culture, and life experiences all influence whether or not we feel safe to speak up. Yet, the ability to use your voice is critical - not only for your growth but for challenging systems and driving change. Here’s why it matters, why it’s a challenge, and how you can start using it with confidence.

Why It Matters

Your voice isn’t just about speaking up, it’s about owning your story, your value, and your perspective. When you use your voice:

• You advocate for yourself and others.
• You build confidence and resilience.
• You create opportunities to make a difference in your workplace, family, and community.
• You inspire others to do the same.

When I finally found the courage to use my voice, I went from watching others grow to stepping into my own power - discovering my identity, earning my degrees, advancing my career, and creating spaces for others to thrive. I’m not doing this on my own. I learned that it’s essential to surround yourself with the right people and resources. But most of all, it started with me taking action.

Using your voice doesn’t just benefit you; it creates ripple effects. Speaking up can inspire others to share their perspectives, challenge systems that exclude, and amplify voices that aren’t always heard. For example, advocating for a more inclusive workplace culture can open doors for others to feel safe and valued.

Why It’s a Challenge

For many of us, using our voice feels risky. We might worry about being judged, dismissed, or misunderstood. Cultural expectations, like not challenging authority, fear of failure, trauma, bias, or a lack of support, can make it even harder.

Sometimes, the fear of speaking up can manifest physically. You might feel so nervous that your body shuts down, or you avoid situations where you have the opportunity to contribute. You might prefer working in the background, even when you have valuable ideas to share. Being around senior staff or in high-pressure environments can feel intimidating, making it even harder to find the courage to speak.

Personally, I struggled with the belief that speaking up was “showing off,” being “selfish,” or “taking up too much space.” I also had impostor syndrome creep up all the time. I had to learn that advocating for myself wasn’t about ego, it was about proving my worth and creating opportunities for growth.

Microaggressions or subtle dismissals of ideas can also discourage us from speaking up, especially for those navigating intersectional identities or perceived as “lower-level” staff. Challenges might include disagreeing with a decision in a meeting, asking for clarification, or advocating for a raise or promotion. Despite these obstacles, finding ways to assert ourselves is essential for personal and professional development.

Organizations also play a role. Fostering psychological safety in teams can encourage more voices to be heard. Leaders who actively seek input and value diverse perspectives create environments where people feel safe to contribute.

How to Start Using Your Voice

Here are some practical steps to help you start using your voice:

1. Reflect on Your Why: Why do you want to speak up? Understanding your purpose gives you strength, whether it’s for yourself or others.
2. Start Small: Practice sharing your thoughts in low-stakes situations, like casual conversations or small group settings.
3. Find Support: Build a network of allies who encourage and uplift you. Safe spaces help you practice and grow.
4. Embrace Imperfection: Your voice doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful. Focus on connection, not perfection.
5. Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge every step you take, no matter how small. Progress builds momentum.

The Impact You Can Make

Using your voice isn’t just about you, it’s about creating ripple effects. When you speak up, you:

• Inspire others to share their perspectives.
• Challenge systems that silence or exclude.
• Amplify the voices of those who may not feel ready to use theirs yet.

Every time you advocate for yourself, you pave the way for others to do the same. Your courage to speak up can create cultural shifts in your workplace, family, or community, showing others that their voices matter too.

Resources, Tips, and Books

• Book Recommendation: Radical Candor by Kim Scott - a great guide for learning to communicate with honesty and empathy.
• Book Recommendation: The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts - a must-read for underrepresented professionals navigating workplace challenges.
• Resource: TED Talk: "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" by Amy Cuddy - insights on building confidence when speaking up.
• Practical Tool: Create a “Speak Up Journal” to track moments when you’ve used your voice and reflect on what you learned.

Call to Action

This month, I challenge you to use your voice in one meaningful way. It could be speaking up in a meeting, sharing your story with a friend, or setting a boundary that honors your needs. Reflect on how it feels and what impact it makes. If you’d like, share your experience with me or any additional tips and resources - I’d love to hear from you!

Remember, your voice matters. Your story matters. And the world needs both.

Until next time,

Michal