6. Invest in the "Messy Middle” We often celebrate the start of a career pivot and the successful end result, but we ignore the middle. Lawal reminds us that transitions require real investment, not just dreams. "The middle requires investment. It requires financial investment... It requires social investment," Lawal notes. This means dedicating time to build new relationships, spending money on workshops, or sacrificing leisure time to learn a new skill. The Takeaway: Be realistic about the cost of your ambition. Whether it is the financial cost of a course or the social cost of networking, be willing to pay the price for your transformation. 7. Write the Story You Want to Read Finally, when you are struggling to make a bold move or feeling stuck, project yourself to the very end. Lawal offers a profound "legacy test" for decision-making. "On their final day... would they be happy to read that story back to themselves?" Lawal asks. Life allows us to edit our stories, rip out pages, and start again. The goal is not to be famous, but to be "well regarded and honoured" for the work you did. The Takeaway: Do not let fear of failure stop you. As Bailey echoed in her episode, "The world will not end because you get laid off... Go explore and see what you can do next".
“If I want to meet people more organically, I will apply to present a session," Bailey explained. By positioning herself as the expert on stage, she avoids the awkwardness of "holding a drink" and trying to break into circles. Instead, people approach her with questions, allowing for the "smaller group intense, intentional conversations" that introverts prefer. The Takeaway: If small talk drains you, change the dynamic. Public speaking establishes your expertise and allows others to come to you. 4. Be the Solution to a Business Problem Lawal defines personal branding simply: "It’s how you want people to talk about you... when you’re not in the room". But for the ambitious professional, she takes it a step further. When stakeholders think of your name, you want to be identified as "the solution to a professional business problem". 5. Root Your Presence in Your Values For women of colour, executive presence is often critiqued through the lens of bias. Lawal acknowledges this reality, noting that "there will always be... a perception about Black women and women of colour.” To combat this without burning out, Lawal suggests rooting your presence in your core principles. "What are your values as a leader?" she asks. When you are clear on your principles, you can walk in your power and drive change without trying to force respect from others. The Takeaway : Authentic presence comes from internal clarity. Know what you stand for and what you are not willing to compromise on.
Build Your Power | April 2026
08
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online