Where does true impact live?

Oprah. Mother Teresa. Shirley Chisholm. Wangari Maathai. Eleanor Roosevelt. Grace Hopper. Dr. Mae C. Jemison.??

What did all these women have in common?

They were successful, to be sure. But more than that—they all made an impact on the world. And the world is a better place for it.

Many of the women we celebrate during Women’s History Month are celebrated not just for their success, but for their impact. And impact is what I want to talk about today, because what I’ve seen over and over as a coach is that many of us—regardless of gender—want to make an impact in our professional lives.???

What does impact mean? Where do we find it in our lives and careers???

True impact means doing work that matters to you.

There’s nothing wrong with success that is measured in job titles, salaries, and promotions. But those measures don’t necessarily equate to impact. Impact happens when you combine work with a sense of purpose—and it happens in a place where you can bring your whole self to work.

Impact means tapping into your soul.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing what you believe you “should” do. You should take the safe job. You should please other people. You should meet family expectations. You should cling to that idea of yourself that you’ve had since kindergarten.?

Granted, you can rack up a lot of success by following your “shoulds.” But at what price? One thing I’ve learned is that “shoulds” will suck the life from your soul. “Shoulds” produce short-term rewards, but they’re less likely to produce long-term, sustainable success or fulfillment. Impact on the world around us happens only when you lead from the seat of your soul, when you’re operating from a place of purpose and not just a paycheck.

Impact means connecting to what’s important to you—and then having everything you do reflect that.

Alignment is key. When your talents, passion, purpose, and environment are in complete alignment, anything is possible. When you’re in alignment, you magnify the power of your natural gifts and talents. They become greater than the sum of their parts.

Impact means showing up as your authentic self.

It’s stressful to go to work every day and feel that you have to pretend to be someone else. Women and women of color, in particular, shoulder the immense weight of the emotional labor needed just to fit in. And here’s the thing: employers benefit when their employees feel comfortable enough to express their real purpose and passion at work. Leaving those things at home also means leaving a lot of creativity and great ideas at home, too.?

Impact means choosing or creating the environment you need to thrive.

Oprah became a household name after she created her own television show. If the environment you’re in is holding back your brilliance—whether that’s work, home, relationships, friends—you have to summon the courage to make an environment that supports you. If you need to develop skills and your job isn’t providing that opportunity, find a volunteer opportunity where you can. If the folks in your network can’t see your true potential, start adding people who can.

Impact means deploying grit and grace.

There’s a reason why flight attendants tell you to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping someone else. As women, we’re told to “lean in” if we want professional success. But leaning in isn’t the same as emptying out. I don’t wear exhaustion as a badge of honor anymore, and neither should anyone else. Grit has to be balanced with grace—with self-compassion and self-care.You can’t shine with a burned-out light bulb.?

Impact means believing in your own greatness.

Some people stumble into the history books. But others make history by believing in their purpose and passion even when others did not. You don’t have to wait for someone else to see greatness in you before you decide to do great things. You don’t need a permission slip to pursue what’s important to you and what speaks to your soul.?????

Making an impact on the world is not just about doing well. It’s about achieving a level of success that is both gratifying and transformative. It’s about using your power to elevate you, your company, and your community. Mother Teresa humanized the suffering of the poor. Oprah helps people to live their best lives. Dr. Mae C. Jemison showed young black girls that they, too, could be astronauts. This is what it looks like to have true impact. This is what it looks like to walk in your brilliance.

To learn how to increase your own impact, join me for the Grit+Grace with Cheryle Conference on March 25-26. We’ll dive deep with leaders from Google, Yum's Brand, Ulta Beauty, and more on their strategies and advice on how to align your purpose, hone natural talents into powerhouse skills, and create and choose spaces that nurture full expression of your passion and strengths.