Women: Your Stories Matter

Behind every woman leader… is a group of women who have amplified her voice, extended her impact, and championed her successes.

As a woman who has built her life’s career coaching leaders on how to maximize their impact in high-stakes communications, you might imagine I’ve oozed confidence and control my entire life. After all, I work with the world’s top leaders to help them overcome their fears and anxiety related to moments when every word counts, every gesture counts – and there’s no chance to go back for a do-over.?

I did work on my confidence from a young age, but I didn’t get here by myself. I created my business surrounded by girlfriends like Rose Rodd Hartwig , Katie Graham Shannon , and Christy Abele - who became my safety net at a time in my life when I was alone and my future uncertain. These women – these true friends – were the ones I called when my spirits needed lifting, when doubt crept in, or when I just needed a good laugh. Today, it feels more important?than ever for women to support one another, for their voices to be heard, and for their stories to be shared. We can all be true friends for each other.

My Story: From Performing Athlete to High-Stakes Coach

My friends have buoyed me through the peaks and valleys of starting a business, but my confidence and poise was informed by my background as a competitive figure skater. Before a competition, I would visualize a flawless spin and a smooth landing. I rehearsed my internal dialogue and was keenly aware of my body language. Even then, I knew I needed to over-prepare for every performance. It's similar advice that I give business leaders today. I didn’t know it at the time, but those hundreds of hours on the ice, the intentional and repetitive practice, facing and overcoming fear of failure, and visualizing my success laid the foundation for overcoming almost any high-stakes challenge. And, it set the stage for what would eventually become a global coaching practice.?

Did I always know I'd start my own business? Definitely not. I grew up with the expectation from both family and community that I was going to put marriage (and the kids that come with it) before career. When I launched my executive coaching firm back in 2004, I was single and it felt like I was choosing a divergent path. My successes and failures, personal and professional, would be mine alone. It was scary. For those first few years, I struggled. Although I knew plenty of incredible male mentors, there were so few women entrepreneurs that I could turn to for business advice or mentorship. I was fortunate - and so very grateful - to have my devoted friends supporting me and championing me through these times.

My Goal: Create Impact Through Your Stories?

About five years ago, I decided to take a bigger, more intentional role in moving the needle for women leaders. I reached out to one of the most powerful leaders at Microsoft who just happens to be a woman. I told her that I wanted to do more work with women, especially diverse women. I wanted to help them create monumental impact through stories. I wanted to help them get their voices heard, whether it’s across the room or around the world. I wanted to guide them to confidently advocate for themselves and ask for what they needed and wanted, with conviction, poise, and power.?

Because how we show up – our posture, our eye contact, the modulations in our voice, our gestures – influences the rest of our lives. I’ve seen throughout my own career that there are far too many women (and so many others) whose voices are not heard. They’re getting lost in a sea of noise and status quo. Sometimes fear.?

Together, Let's Be Heard

Stories matter. Your voice matters. Your energy matters, whether it’s on stage or in video. When you’re raising money for your startup dream. When you want to advance at your organization. When you sit down at the board table. When you introduce yourself in those first few moments of the interview. When you’re navigating a challenge with your biggest client.?

For women in particular, these moments can be easier when you have support from other women, like I was so fortunate to have as I rose in my career. They are easier when you know you’re not just one voice, but a voice of many.?

Even better? When you come through these high-stakes moments on the other side, and you’ve gotten exactly what you want. The money, the promotion, the visibility. There’s nothing more exhilarating than getting a call from a woman leader I coach: Jenna, I got the funding. I won the contract. I got the deal. Not only do I want more calls like that, but I also want to see more women sharing each other’s wins and amplifying each other’s voices.

On this International Women’s Day, that is my wish and my mission. I’m committed to helping even more women discover their voice and their true impact.