Let’s talk about finding your voice, girl, and not just finding it, but USING IT.
Do you belong at the table?
Just a few weeks ago, I attended my first board meeting and I found myself looking around the room and wondering, “do I really belong at this table?”
After working with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for the last 3 years, chairing their Man & Woman of the Year campaign, and nominating some absolutely stellar individuals who’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for this organization . . . I felt like I was ready for a transition, and joining the board seemed like the perfect next step for what I have to offer to the community.
But can I be totally honest with you?
Just 20 minutes into that meeting morning, I was questioning if I belonged there.
Me! I was wondering if I was playing out of my league. As you may know, I teach women how to play bigger in business and life — it’s my passion and mission — and here I was, having a bit of a moment myself.
The room was full of leaders in the corporate arena . . . a space I’ve never worked in. I listened as these hotshots tossed around their high powered connections that could be used to further the organizations’ mission of healing, shared brilliant ideas on how we could partner with big community companies, and made plans to get corporate sponsorships in the works . . . and I felt like I was in way over my head.
How could I possibly contribute in that space? At this level?
At the same time, though, even while I questioned whether or not I had anything of true value to offer, my mind started spinning a mile a minute about the connections and opportunities that I have access to in the online entrepreneur space . . . ideas about leveraging social media and online influencers to spread awareness about LLS, about our mission, about the work we do to cure all types of cancers and care for the little children and loved ones battling blood cancers.
I took a deep breath. Paused. And knew what I had to do.
So I spoke up.
