Most of us are familiar with the term 'glass ceiling' - the unseen barrier hindering women from top corporate roles. Yet, there's a lesser-known but equally critical concept: the 'glass cliff'. This metaphor extends the challenge beyond just reaching leadership positions. It's about the precariousness that often accompanies these roles, especially for Black women and women of color. This results in a role fraught with unsustainable workloads, lack of support, and unrecognized efforts, leading to burnout and frustration. You can change that!

Think of your personal brand of what people say about you when you’re not in the room. What would you want them to say about you? Whether you are intentional about it or not, you are creating a personal brand with everything interaction folks have with you; you are your own walking advertisement. It is important to understand what brand image you are conveying and how to develop a Unique Value Proposition that positions you for success.

Have you considered what it means to truly shine in your career? For each of us, the definition of shining is personal, rooted in our unique passions, aspirations, and values. Shining can be about aligning with our purpose, expressing our authentic selves, and making a meaningful impact in the arenas we’re in.

At a certain point in my life, even though I was great at my job, I knew it was not my purpose. For years I’d been trying to find that right gig that would light up my heart. When I found image consulting, my inner fire was ignited. This was it! So I left the comfort, security, steady pay, and familiarity of my career to leap into the unknown where I had no road map, guide, or certainty. But I had an inner fire, passion, faith, and belief that I had what it took to make it happen. But I realized there are aspects of my life I’m pretty private about and my growth edge with authenticity is to be more open about those when appropriate and in the right context. To lean into that muscle today, here are a few things you may not know about me...maybe.

Sometimes, we hold ourselves back without even realizing it. We allow self-doubt, fear of judgment, or the comfort of staying in our comfort zones to hinder our progress. We question whether we have what it takes to reach that next level and hesitate to step into our full potential. But remember, growth happens outside of our comfort zones. It's in those moments of vulnerability that we discover our true potential and make a lasting impact.