What do Brandi Carlile, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Swift have in common? (Hint: It’s not that they’re women.)

Amid the harried news cycles around the globe, it can be easy to feel like the world is falling apart.?So, for my own sanity and wellbeing, a personal practice I’ve adopted is to seek out inspiration—to look for those that are using their lives and work to benefit something greater than themselves.

And I’ve learned: Those people are everywhere!?

They are my neighbors Monica Marchant and Ann-Marie Manning who not only bring their mental health expertise to others through their professions; they also help make our street a safe, fun, life-enhancing place to live.?

They are businesspeople in my hometown of Manitou Springs, such as the husband and wife duo Barak Ben-Amots and Ruthie Markwardt that head the Flying Pig regenerative community farm because they believe in supporting people to positively connect through food, nature, and community.?

And people who inspire me are part of Wisdom Works’ Be Well Lead Well Pulse? Certified Guide community, a global growing network of close to 225 executives and professionals in people and leadership development who have dedicated their lives and work to advance thriving through organizations around the world.

In our popular media right now, I’m inspired by Brandi Carlile, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Swift. Why? Because to me they exemplify wellbeing leaders who consistently strive to use their public platforms for humanity’s good.

BRANDI CARLILE

Brandi?is having a big (and well-deserved) moment! There are so many songs that the singer-songwriter, along with her bandmates Phil and Tim Hanseroth, have produced that move me. One of my favorites is The Eye, with its authentic, evocative lyrics and deeply beautiful harmonies. But it’s not her music that motivates me most.

In an industry where women still earn considerably less money than men and are sorely underrepresented in close to every key role, I’m a big fan of Brandi’s ethic for pay equity; from the start of their work together, the trio decided to split all earnings equally. I also appreciate how Brandi purposefully elevates women musicians across generations, such as music royalty Joni Mitchell and Tanya Tucker, along with up-and-comer Tish Melton.

COCO GAUFF

Yes, she just won the U.S. Open. That’s a huge deal! Yet I’m most inspired by how this extraordinary tennis star is wise beyond her 19 years. When the media asked her how she deals with pressure, she said she puts her life into a larger perspective when she starts to feel overwhelmed.

At a recent media event, she maintained, “At first, I used to think negative things, like: Why is there so much pressure? Why is this so hard? Blah, blah, blah. I realize in a way it’s pressure, but it’s not. I mean, there are people struggling to feed their family, people who don’t know where their next meal is going to come front, people who have to pay their bills. That’s real pressure, that’s real hardship, that’s real life. I’m in a privileged position. I’m getting paid to what I love and getting support to do what I love. That’s something I don’t take for granted.”

When I want to thrive in the middle of stress and constant change, Coco is my inspiration.

TAYLOR SWIFT

I’ll admit upfront that Taylor Swift’s music isn’t my music. But I am a Swifty fan at heart! Why? Because beyond her versatile musicality and her songwriting prowess, she applies her values for equality and her immense cultural influence (often called the Taylor Swift Effect) toward humanity’s good.

Consider her recent record-breaking Eras Tour which spanned 5 continents: She gave over $55 million in life-changing bonuses, along with hand-written thank you notes, to the truckers, caterers, gaffers, riggers, and other staff of her tour crew.

I don’t know these stars personally, so I cannot know what internally motivates them. Yet, from the outside looking in, all three of these women seem to intentionally use their positions, privilege, and power to uplift others. They amplify thriving not just to demonstrate how they lead, but as a way of reflecting and sharing their very being.

MOST OF US DON’T HAVE THE 500+ MILLION GLOBAL FAN BASE OF TAYLOR SWIFT!

Every one of us has a platform, however, from which we can amplify thriving in a unique way in our neighborhoods, communities, and organizations. It’s easy to fall into the misconception that changing our world for the better only comes about through grand ambitions and big efforts, when it is also about bringing authentic human connection, wholeness, and wellbeing into our experiences and relationships wherever we live and work everyday.?

How are you amplifying thriving today? I’d love to hear your story and share it with others.

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