Permission to be BOLD!

“For years, I was the only woman in spaces designed for men, and it was hard to navigate them without having to 'hide' myself in order not to upset others,” shared Fernanda Tauffenbach , an engineer and one of the leaders at Infra-Women Brazil, during a training we facilitated this week as Tsemba Life CCS.

Fernanda’s words struck a chord with every woman in the room, including me. She spoke about her nearly 20 years in the infrastructure sector—a world where women, especially Black women, are rarely welcomed or represented. For a long time, Fernanda felt the pressure to shrink herself, to blend in, and to avoid “rocking the boat.” But one day, she realized that dimming her light wasn’t just holding her back; it was denying inspiration to others who needed to see her shine.

That day, she chose boldness. And this week, she gifted that same courage to the aspiring female engineers we were training.

The power of permission

When we talk about gender inclusion or leadership, we often focus on big systemic changes. But the truth is, transformation often starts with something as simple—and as profound—as one woman sharing her story.

Hearing Fernanda’s journey wasn’t just inspiring—it was permission. Permission to own your space. Permission to dream big. Permission to believe that you belong exactly where you want to be.

Boldness, after all, isn’t about having no fear. It’s about showing up anyway. It’s about pushing back against the unwritten rules that tell us to stay small, and instead saying, “I’m here, and I’m enough.”

What happened to me

Fernanda’s story reminded me of my own journey. In 2020, I was part of UNICEF’s Female Leaders program. It was an extraordinary experience where I had the privilege of learning from coaches like Carice Anderson , Peggy Hazard Hazard and @AugustinaMendez from Korn Ferry. These women stood out—not just for what they taught but for how they carried themselves. The way they walked into a room, spoke with authority, and shared their insights made me stop and pay attention.

You know that expression, “How dare you?” What I was hearing from these women was “Please dare you!” Yes—dare to go out and conquer, to occupy spaces, and to transform the world. It wasn’t just a pep talk; it was a call to action. I realized that, even after 18 years of work experience, with a Living Vision Life Plan, at that time, I still needed that permission – still needed to hear it and to see it. Its a physical experience – as though a lid was lifted inside and the vapour can come out in the form of bold actions.

Boldness is contagious

See, when one woman (or anyone) chooses to stop hiding, she gives others permission to do the same. When she decides to occupy spaces previously not designed for her, she is normalizing it. Normalizing something such as this is permission. That’s the ripple effect of boldness, and it’s why sharing our stories matters.

Your story matters. Your courage matters. And when you show up fully, you’re creating space for others to do the same.

So, here’s my question for you: Who has inspired you to be bold? And how can you be the person who gives someone else permission to believe in their own potential?