Can you hear the shock horror in the exclamation of today’s topic?

Personally, I hear it in an english accent with all the scoffing of disgust as they watch someone step outside the norm. But as the rebel, change agent that I am, I’m curious about the exclamation and how the idea fits into social impact leadership.

Audacity – (noun) The willingness to take bold risks.

I’ve come to believe it’s a critical ingredient for authentic empowered change.

In her widely acclaimed book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron notes that, “Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist – hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch”.

Authentic, regenerative leadership requires the creativity of an artist who dares to hone their craft in practice and bravely expose their ideas to the world.

It takes audacity to question our own beliefs, habits, and ways of being.

It takes audacity to build self trust when society says that compassionate, human-centric leadership won’t get you very far.

It takes audacity to embrace how your brain works and care for your body when working in a sector that pushes for perfection and self-sacrifice.

It takes audacity to see the injustice in your newsfeed and believe that, that your ideas, your action, your being will make a difference.

Audacity can become the norm – Depending on who you who follow

I am grateful for the inspiration of audacious people in my life like…

​Bree, who has the audacity to believe that work should be fun.
​Tasha, who has the audacity to build community across borders to address the isolation within the nonprofit sector.
​Ana, who has the audacity to believe that we can create and build businesses without hustle.
​Abby, who has the audacity to rethink and reimage education post high school….

and so many others I surround myself with, thank you for your audacity.

I audaciously believe that joy and ease are not only possible, it is essential to being an effective social impact leader.

But just like any successful artist must first start with messy, imperfect practice, we must develop the skills and practices to support the mindset, emotional capacity and embodied wellness that cultivate joy and ease.

I audaciously believe that joy and ease are not only possible, it is essential to being an effective social impact leader.

But just like any successful artist must first start with messy, imperfect practice, we must develop the skills and practices to support the mindset, emotional capacity and embodied wellness that cultivate joy and ease.

I’d love to hear from you. Share your audacious dream with me. I want to celebrate you and your brilliant ideas that are making a difference.