Embracing The Unknown

This quarter’s theme is?Leading from a Place of Authenticity.?In my last newsletter, I wrote an open letter on the importance of leading authentically for the benefit of future generations.

Today, we’re exploring a new aspect of authenticity: embracing the unknown.

We all reach points in life where we must choose between stepping into the unknown or staying in our comfort zones. Authenticity isn’t just about staying true to who you are; it’s also about giving yourself the space to learn—about the world, about different contexts, and, most importantly, about yourself.

What Does It Mean to Embrace the Unknown?

Embracing the unknown means taking the leap—feeling fear and doing it anyway. The danger of staying in our comfort zones is that it limits our potential. Fear often leads to regret, and it almost always dampens the accomplishments we can achieve.

Join me for a moment as we reflect on what embracing the unknown looks like.

In May 2022, a friend encouraged me to speak on a panel at a conference taking place in June. Initially, I turned it down. I wasn’t sure I was “qualified” or the right fit, but my friend kept encouraging me to go for it, reminding me of the value of my unique perspective.

At that time, the fear of the unknown felt more substantial than any potential positives that could come from it. I was worried I didn’t have enough insights to share, that my small social media following might be a drawback, and that this opportunity might not lead to anything significant.

Long story short, I embraced the fear and stepped into the unknown, taking my place on that panel.

The June event became the seed of my speaking career, opening doors to incredible opportunities along the way. Evidence of how that seed has blossomed is showcased in my speaker's showreel below.

You still have so much to discover about yourself!

Reduce the noise of other people’s opinions and future uncertainties, and focus on embracing the unknown.

Keep these two things in mind:

1. Living by others’ opinions can leave you feeling inadequate. Don’t let the views of others restrict your potential; you never know where you might end up or who you might become.
2. There’s beauty in embracing the unknown. The unknown offers space for creativity, failure, learning, and growth.

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

The Authentic Leader Email Newsletter + Community (Soft Launch)

This newsletter is evolving! I’m thrilled to announce that The Authentic Leader will soon be arriving in your inbox and expanding into a fully-fledged community.

This new community will be a space where you’ll get more content, exclusive webinars, and stimulating discussions. If you’re interested in diving deeper into topics like personal development, politics, education, youth empowerment etc with a community of like-minded people, keep an eye out for the link to subscribe to The Authentic Leader email newsletter.

The core aims of the community are to promote authentic leadership, pay it forward for the next generation and be empowered to take up space in your field.

FAQs

• Will The Authentic Leader still run as a newsletter on LinkedIn?

Yes! I’ll continue sharing a distilled version on LinkedIn, with a link to the full read at the end of each edition.

• What’s changing about this newsletter?

I’m creating an email list where you can receive The Authentic Leader directly in your inbox each week. Look out for the link to subscribe soon!

• What will the Authentic Leader community be about?

It’s a place for young leaders or anyone passionate about the youth to connect more personally with me, dive into newsletter topics in more depth, and explore discussions around personal growth, politics, branding, and more. You’ll also have access to exclusive content from me.

• When does the Authentic Leader community launch?

Very soon! Keep an eye out for details in my LinkedIn post.