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Leadership Couture, Cultivate the Courage to Bloom
Published about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Cultivate the Courage to Bloom
One year ago, on April 8th, I celebrated my first official day as Founder of JMW Collective. I posted my new title on LinkedIn and basked in the supportive comments. I had taken the leap and launched my own business, and it was a beautiful moment.
At least, that's what everyone could see. But, if you've ever made a life-changing decision like that you know there's always more to see beneath the surface. What didn’t show was the burnout that crept in the summer before, the deep ache in my core, and the countless job applications I submitted—searching for purpose in a new title, when what I truly needed was something far greater.
Here’s what else wasn’t visible: the quiet mornings I spent in self-reflection, the hours of conversation with a coach (and sometimes a therapist), the dozens of interviews I conducted with executives in my network proving demand for this idea I had, and then selling this idea not to them but to my husband who was my hardest sale by far and also now one of my biggest supporters.
Like a flower, we don’t just decide to bloom one day. Instead, it’s the result of months, years, sometimes a lifetime of cultivating the courage to bloom.
A lot can happen in a year! Thank you to Jamie Mowery and the team at Anthem Marketing Group for inviting me to do what I love at The Social Sip this month.
What I’ve learned is this: Blooming requires courage—but also time, intention, and support.
So let’s break this metaphor wide open:
Roots = Your values. What grounds you when the wind picks up?
Soil = Your environment. What mindsets, boundaries, and energy sources are feeding—or depleting—you?
Stem = Your courage. Think Brené Brown: strong back, soft front… and don’t forget the wild heart.
Flower = Your purpose. What do you want the world to see from your bloom?
Garden = Your community. Because flowers grow stronger when they’re together.
I invite you to take some time to reflect this month, whether that’s in your actual garden or, like me, just on paper. Ask yourself…
What am I cultivating?
What do I need more of in my soil?
Where is my courage showing up?
Who's growing with me? Jump over to Instagram to share your blooms and tag me @jmw.collective.
Welcome to this month's edition of Leadership Couture - an invitation to bloom boldly! Get ready to try on new ideas, take off what doesn't fit, and confidently wear your Leadership Couture!
Stay stylish, stay courageous, and as always, lead with intention.
Your Leadership Stylist,
Try it On
Women Needed in AI
"...artificial intelligence could become the most pivotal tool yet for advancing equality - or it could set us back decades."
It's up to us!
According to Randstad, a global leader in talent solutions, women make up just 29% of the AI-skilled workforce and less than 20% of AI researchers worldwide.
Before you trade in your Kate Spade work tote for a backpack and head off to college, consider this. The best way to fight bias in AI is to flood it with women's perspectives and experiences.
All you have to do is start. Ask Claude to plan your next trip or ChatGPT for help with your son's 7th grade Algebra homework (asking for a friend).
Read this article from TIME for more inspiration or ask ChatGPT.
"Great leadership isn’t about being the busiest person in the room—it’s about making the best decisions. "
Say it again for those in the back.
"Great leadership isn’t about being the busiest person in the room—it’s about making the best decisions."
Mic drop.
Did you know it takes 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption? That's according to a study by the University of California. If you're wearing your busyness like a badge of honor, please stop and read this article. If you listen to it, it's only four minutes and 20 seconds. If you listen at 1.5X, it's only two minutes and 53 seconds. I see you.
How about your supervisor? Your colleague over the wall or across the country?
At its core, Everything DiSC is an assessment that measures an individual's preferences and tendencies. When implemented with the help of an Authorized Partner (like me!), it can unlock engagement, inspire collaboration, and drive meaningful behavior change. And now, with the Catalyst platform, it’s not just a one-time initiative—it becomes a foundational part of your culture. Ready to create a workplace where people actually want to show up, lead, and thrive? Let’s talk.
You know that person everyone wants on their team? That’s Michelle. We first met through a professional women's group (Women's Business League, check them out!) and recently reconnected over lunch. She is now the well-deserved CEO of C3 Workplace and a person you need to know. If you're looking for virtual support so you can start working on your business rather than in your business, pop over to C3 Workplace online to see how Michelle's team can help! You'll be glad you did (and less busy!)
What if you could gather leadership wisdom from twelve incredible women—all in one powerful book? Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, & Lead delivers exactly that. Curated by Jenny Mitchell and grounded in the five pillars uncovered through Meghan Rehbein’s doctoral research on the leadership journeys of eleven female CEOs, this book is an amazing resource for the women leaders of today and tomorrow. For those of you local to Central PA, you'll recognize one of the authors' names, Janet Donovan, President and CEO of Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA (GSHPA). Last month, I was lucky enough to learn from these amazing authors at the Embracing Ambition conference made possible by the incredible team at GSHPA. Book discussion anyone?
Thank you to the best connector (#IYKYK) for bringing us together for the day!
In this episode of the Insurance Refocused podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Lindsay and Carey Wallace to talk all things leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes for women to thrive in the insurance industry. We dove into my own journey, the power of self-awareness, managing your energy (not just your time), and why women lifting each other up isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Give #111 a listen and then jump up to #115 for some more AI inspo!
Before you go! Do you have a friend or two who would enjoy reading Leadership Couture? Please share and encourage them to subscribe below so they get next month's edition.
“I hope you are blessed with a heart like a wildflower.”
Are you ready to turn heads, influence with grace, and lead with intention? Leadership Couture is your go-to for insights and inspiration to lead confidently and authentically. From tackling burnout to building executive presence, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now and start leading with purpose and style!
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