Nice Work: The world is ready for you to get louder.

Hey there,

I’m Jen Dionisio, filling in for Sara this month. If we haven’t met yet, I’m a coach and facilitator here at Active Voice. And I’d like to share a story with you.

A few years ago, I accepted my first formal leadership role. I was ecstatic. I’d always considered myself a late bloomer, but finally I felt seen. I had a vision of who I’d be once I was in charge: Empathic, but just. Strategic, but flexible. I’d use my position to elevate the people around me—and celebrate the day when I could pass the baton.

Instead, I was immediately overwhelmed by the work ahead—my chest would seize up whenever I opened my email. There were so many demands. I couldn’t make anyone happy. To cope, I drafted a bunch of processes to help me avoid making hard decisions. I let team resentments and confusion fester, just trying to get through the tasks of the day. I burned out and quit in less than a year.

I hid myself away after that. I kept my head down at work, trying to stay under the radar. I left all my professional networks, certain I had nothing to offer anyone. My shame was so profound, I thought of myself as a stranger—one I wanted nothing to do with anymore. I became very quiet.

One day in 2020, a small voice in the back of my brain asked me if I might be ready to re-enter the world. I shrugged it off, but it persisted. Are you ready to speak up again? Are you ready to forgive yourself?

Not long after, I joined the first version of Sara’s Courageous Leadership Program. After being in my head so long, I knew it was time to explore these feelings with other people like me. I was terrified of how I’d be received by the group—and that was kind of the point. I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable again. Every session, the conversations my group had—about their strengths and doubts, their inner critics and inner cheerleaders—nudged me more and and more out of my shell. Sara’s readings and conversations helped me get clearer on who I was and what I had to say. And the community reminded me that I wasn’t on this journey alone.

My leadership growth since that time has been messy, for sure. But my faith in myself and my decisions have kept me steady through the journey. And, most importantly, I’ve committed to doing this work out loud. It’s a way of honoring myself, and I hope helps others see that the practice of leadership is work worth attending to—even when it’s hard.

Two years later, I’m now a coach with Active Voice—and I'll be facilitating the next Courageous Leadership Program alongside Sara. I can’t wait to meet those of you who are in the place I was when I joined that first cohort: hearing your own small voice say the world is ready for you to get louder.

Whether this program is a fit for you or not, I hope you remember three things:

1. Playing small might feel safe, but over time, it usually makes us miserable.

2. Supporting others starts with supporting ourselves. Invest some time in you, too.

3. Leadership isn’t a one-time chance. Give yourself grace as you figure this out.

– Jen

Registration is open for the next Courageous Leadership Program

You don’t have to become someone else to be a leader. Uncover and own your most powerful leadership traits in our 12-week group program. Live sessions start March 9.

Want to ask questions or get a feel for the vibe? Sign up for a 1:1 info session with Sara and get your questions answered.

On the reading list

1. Principles for living outside of boxes

2. Workplace Toxicity Is Not Just a Mental Health Issue

3. Why Success Doesn’t Lead to Satisfaction