Leaping into Intentional Leadership

This week, Brian Kush and I are launching Intend2Lead!! The Intend2Lead Experience is a transformational leadership development program that empowers emerging leaders to create more possibilities in their lives, organizations and communities.

Intend2Lead certainly didn’t happen overnight. It took a series of leaps of faith to get here. Yes, leaps of faith can be scary. But they unveil amazing possibilities!

Leaping out of the Fast Lane

When I started my career, I imagined a very different destination for myself – one in which I was a PwC audit partner. For ten years, I put forth much effort towards that end…working crazy hours, volunteering for challenging assignments, and even relocating.  

I planned to transfer to a new office to move one step closer to partnership after completing a national office rotation. Instead, I made a leap of faith to return to Austin for personal reasons. I was advised that this was a giant step back in my career. The chances of realizing my PwC career dreams in Austin were slim.

Have you ever taken a leap of faith because you listened to your inner voice, instead of doing what everyone else thought was best for you?

Leaping into the Unknown

As hard as it was to walk away from the peak of my PwC career, I took another leap to join a fast growing, regional CPA firm. I tweaked my vision of success to being an audit partner at this firm. Two years later, when I made partner, I breathed a celebratory sigh of relief. I made it….or had I?

Have you ever reached your destination, only to realize it was just the beginning?

A Leap into Firm Leadership

In 2013, as the newest and youngest partner at the firm, I took another leap by accepting an executive leadership role.

I immersed myself in personal growth to meet this new challenge. I took control of my well-being by mastering my mornings. I joined a group-coaching program and a MasterMind group of inspiring entrepreneurs. I read powerful books.  

I soaked up learning like a sponge, wherever I could find it…in my work, my life, and every interaction. I pushed myself outside my comfort zone. I observed myself more closely. I journaled and imagined my future. I shifted my thoughts and language to more empowering beliefs.

When I transformed, the world around me changed. I saw new possibilities. I discovered who I really was. I uncovered my purpose.

Have you ever said yes to something, even when you weren’t sure you could do it…and it transformed your life?

A Pregnant Leap into Entrepreneurship

My transformational experience set me up for the best busy season of my career. Although my client portfolio doubled in 2014, I worked less hours and enjoyed myself more than ever before. Prior to making partner, I had never brought in new business. In 2014, I exceeded my annual sales goal by June. It was magical…I was doing more with less. And I was having fun!

In the summer of 2014, I took my biggest leap of faith yet. I walked away from a great job, one that I had spent 14 years working towards. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was yet, but my inner voice told me there was something else I needed to do.

So I started over, as a pregnant entrepreneur. This leap of faith unveiled new possibilities for me that are far better than I imagined.

Have you ever walked away from something secure and good, to follow your heart, with absolutely no idea how it might turn out?

“Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.” – Ray Bradbury

A Year of Leaps

2015 was a whirlwind year of more transformation, full of challenges, joy, fulfillment, and a lot of learning. I leaped into motherhood with the birth of my son. I leaped wholeheartedly into coaching by going back to school. I leaped into growing my new business.

It might sound stressful and overwhelming to do this all at once. But it felt surprisingly easy and fun because the actions were aligned with my purpose. I emerged from this leap a more confident mother, entrepreneur and coach.

Have you ever accomplished more than you thought was possible and actually enjoyed doing it?

Intend2Lead: Leaping Together

I met Brian in the fall of 2015. We discovered we shared the same purpose – to empower possibilities for others. Thankful to have learned so much from so many, it was time for me to take another leap of faith. But this time, the leap was for you!

The I2L Experience is a powerful, year-long leadership journey. It condenses the core elements of transformation that Brian and I have identified based on our own experiences and those of many others. It is designed to support and challenge you to reach your full potential as a leader and as a human being.   

We hope you’ll take the leap with us by joining the I2L Community!

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” – Lewis Carroll

Please join the conversation by leaving me a comment or connecting with me here on LinkedIn.