You have a fantastic voice, and the world can not wait to hear it. Discover how to find your voice.

This article is for you if you are tired of hearing the popular cliche on finding your voice.

To start, if finding your voice conjures an exploration, like an Indiana Jones movie, then my dear friend, you have it all wrong because your voice isn't missing.

Probably, hidden but not missing.

A few folks have given up on finding their voice because of this fear of introspection. The process of looking deep within to confirm, affirm, and experiment with who you are and what matters to you.

I admit that this process can be challenging. Yet, it is one of the most transformation work anyone can embark upon, to be honest, because finding your voice is a process, repetitive, and an evolution.

Here are a few things that I discovered along the way -

• You have to be willing to share your truth.
• You have to be ready for feedback, both positive and constructive.
• You will need to develop a thick skin because some feedback could derail you.
• You have to embrace self-deprecating humor because you will make blunders publicly.
• Lastly, you have to give yourself some grace.

How I got past a recent roadblock.

I hit a mental roadblock before submitting my dissertation topic during my doctoral program. It was an overwhelming experience; I had too many ideas that I was hoping to condense into a problem statement. And before long, I got lost in the maze, fishing for that ideal topic with depth, meaning, purpose, and impact.

Finally, after a few months, with my deadline approaching, I panicked and begrudgingly scheduled a chat with my dissertation chair to find out his opinion on what I should write, and his response infuriated me.

If you've been there, you know how that feels. You want an answer.

I wanted clarity, someone to tell me what to do.

But, this is what my chair said, "Write something you see, care about, and, most importantly, something that is 'yours.'

Let me be honest for a minute; his feedback didn't do it for me at the time.

But I gave it some thought, and it slowly made sense.

My voice wasn't missing; it was hidden behind many walls and needed an expression. I was focused on external validation, worried about being misunderstood, and —terrified of rejection or negative feedback.

Consider

In retrospect, here is what I discovered and my advice: be courageous, be truthful, stop worrying about how you will be perceived or the negative feedback, and express yourself authentically.

To the world, that will be your voice.

Regardless of your medium, it is your voice that will distinguish you.

And here's what will happen afterward; some will read, listen or watch and appreciate your voice. Others will criticize, some might provide constructive feedback, and a few will castigate, laugh, and mock you.

But when you stay the course, you will discover a treasure, referred to as your tribe and community. The people who need, cherish, appreciate you. Their intent will be clear and pure. They will challenge you to be better, bolder and as you interact with them, a whole new world appears.

When this happens, you will undoubtedly, kick yourself for waiting so long to share your voice. So stop waiting, start now!

'Flo

Finally...

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Dr. Flo?is a Hybrid leader: American-born, British Trained, and Nigerian Raised. Client Partner, Leadership Psychologist, Inclusion Strategist, and Executive Coach?@?Korn Ferry?|?Follow me on Twitter?@drflofalayi