The Spirit of Audacity

Have you ever said to someone, "they have the audacity..."? What if they do? What’s the issue with that? Have you ever had the audacity to dream big? Have you ever wanted to be audacious but didn’t dare?

The world is full of people who have the audacity to go after what they want. Take JJ Redick, for example. If you are a sports fan you may have been following the news of JJ Redick and his new coaching position as the head coach for the LA Lakers. Sure, he has a bit of privilege, but I would also say he embodies the spirit of audacity. For those who may not know, JJ Redick recently made headlines when he was named Head Coach for the LA Lakers. Why was this headline worthy news? Well for one it is the LA Lakers (Go Lebron!) but secondly JJ has never coached in the NBA, nor at the high school or college levels. His experience lay in being a former player and an analyst, but not a coach. Now we know former players have been great coaches but this is where the spirit of audacity comes into the play. JJ put his name in the hat knowing that was a potential strike that would prevent him from getting the job.

Additional Context...
JJ Redick's appointment as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers has garnered significant attention and mixed reactions. Redick, a former NBA player and ESPN analyst, was chosen for his deep understanding of basketball and his ability to communicate effectively with players despite having no prior coaching experience. His media and podcasting background also demonstrates his analytical and strategic thinking, which the Lakers hope will translate into coaching success. This decision reflects the Lakers' desire for a fresh approach and a long-term solution to their coaching needs (Lakers Nation).        

Many of us, especially women and particularly women of color, would never have put our names in the hat if we didn't meet all the qualifications. But JJ had the audacity to go for it. We all know that being an employee in a company and running the company are two very different things, with distinct roles, rules, and responsibilities. Nonetheless, he had the audacity to apply, interview,and take the job once offered. While we understand the other politics behind his audacity, why do so many of us choose not to have the same audacity?

In a world overflowing with opportunities, it’s easy to hesitate and get held back by the "what ifs." But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of letting fear and doubt run the show, we operated from a place of audacity? Imagine having the boldness to chase our dreams without hesitation, unafraid of potential failures or setbacks.

Audacity means having the courage to step out of our comfort zones and go after what truly matters. It’s about believing in our worth and capabilities, even when the odds seem stacked against us. There are countless people out there who embody this fearless approach, achieving remarkable feats because they dared to dream big and act on those dreams.

So, why not us? What if we lived audaciously, too? What if we gave ourselves permission to be unapologetically ambitious, to take risks, and to embrace the journey with all its uncertainties? The worst that could happen is someone says no, but they could also say YES. If you don't have the audacity, you take away the chance of hearing either. By shifting our mindset, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and experience life more fully and authentically.

Let's make this personal for a minute...

So, I think I might want to be a community college president. To really determine if this is a true goal or not, I recently completed the American Association of Community Colleges Future President Institute (FPI). We had the opportunity to speak with sitting presidents and learn about the ins and outs of the role. If you know me personally, you know this is a goal that many others have for me, but I’ve never had for myself. But recently, I’ve been in a “Why Not?” space. To be honest in many parts of my life I have been trying to operate in the spirit of audacity. So, if you know me, you also know I am going to do my research, hence the institute.

During FPI, we had the opportunity to consider our WHY for wanting to be a president. We also met with an executive coach who reviewed our resumes and discussed the interview process. In the end, I walked away with confirmation of what I knew going in: my biggest hurdle would be that I don’t have a doctorate degree. Unfortunately, in these United States of America, this automatically puts two strikes against me in the application process, with the second strike being that I am a woman of color. As a woman of color, not having the degree adds layers to this challenge that are too much to discuss here, but believe me, we will another time.

Nonetheless, if you know me, you also know I struggle with this because I’ve achieved so much without it. I am an advocate of education and think it is very important. However, I struggle with the idea that on one hand I have the necessary experience to put my name in the hat, but the only reason I might not be hired is because I don’t have the terminal degree. From my seat, I look at all that I have accomplished without it.

Here’s where my JJ Redick example comes into play. Look at someone like JJ Redick. He has never coached in the league, and this will be the first time he has ever worked as a coach in any capacity outside of his son’s youth basketball team. This situation highlights not only privilege and connections but also the audacity to step into a role without traditional qualifications. Now, I know the NBA and higher education are not the same, but that’s not the point. The point is that JJ had the audacity to put his name in the hat despite his lack of conventional coaching experience. He dared to do what many of us, especially women and women of color, would never do. He had the audacity knowing they might say no but he gave absolutely no cares (I will use appropriate language here but feel free to use other terms) about the end result. Why? Because if he never had the audacity they would have never been able to say yes and he would still be coaching his son's youth team.

(Side note: Did you know that women of color are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet almost every qualification or requirement?)

So, let’s take me potentially/maybe wanting to be a community college president. I know I could make a significant impact in that role. But do I have the audacity to pursue it with my current credentials? Will it be harder without a doctorate? Maybe. Will I go back to school? Maybe. But if I never put myself out there, if I never embrace my audacity, I’ll never become a president. So, in the JJ Redick comparison, he has never coached in the league (no doctorate), he has numerous years as a player and analyst (my vast experience in higher education) but he had the audacity to apply for the job knowing he did not meet all of the qualifications and still got the job. If that scenario does not make you want to use that as your WHY NOT every time you think I CAN'T or I SHOULDN'T, I don't know what will.

Additional Consideration...
JJ Redick's appointment as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, despite his lack of traditional coaching credentials, highlights the value of practical experience and innovative thinking. Similarly, in higher education, individuals with extensive on-the-ground experience but without formal credentials can bring unique perspectives and skills to leadership roles. However, colleges often overlook these candidates due to credential biases. Just as Redick's basketball IQ and communication skills made him a compelling choice for the Lakers, experienced professionals in education can also drive meaningful change and progress when given the opportunity.        

So what does it take for you to consider living with audacity...

1. Trusting Yourself: Believing in your ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
2. Taking Risks: Understanding that growth comes from pushing boundaries and stepping into the unknown.
3. Ignoring the Naysayers: Focusing on your goals and not letting the doubts of others deter you.
4. Embracing Failure: Viewing setbacks as learning experiences and stepping stones to success.
5. Being Unapologetic: Pursuing your dreams with confidence and not feeling the need to justify your ambitions.

As we continue on our journeys, let’s commit to living audaciously. Let’s chase after our dreams with fervor, inspired by the belief that we are capable of achieving greatness. After all, life is too short to be lived timidly. It’s time to step into our power and go after what we want with all the audacity we can muster.

So, I’m committing to living audaciously and encouraging you to do the same. Let’s chase our dreams with confidence and determination, knowing that we are capable of achieving greatness.

Peace & Love

KJ