"If you had FORCED me to speak, I would have..."

Hey Verbalizer,

You know that feeling when someone says something that just... stops you in your tracks?

That happened to me the other day after a leadership session I was facilitating.

One of the most brilliant women in the room - who had stayed silent the entire time - came up to me afterwards and said something that honestly really got to me:

"If you had stood there and given me no choice, I would definitely have spoken!"

I had to pause to really let that sink in...

Here was this incredibly capable professional woman... essentially telling me she needed someone else's permission to share her wisdom.

And I know exactly why this hit me so hard.

Because I see so many brilliant women doing the exact same thing.

Sitting in those meetings...

Brilliant ideas swirling in their heads...

Heart beating a little faster...

Hand staying just a little too low...

Waiting for someone to call on them.

Waiting for someone else’s permission to shine.

Waiting to almost be forced to speak up.

If you can relate, here's what I need you to hear...

➡️ You already KNOW you're brilliant

➡️ You already KNOW your ideas add value

➡️ You already KNOW you're worthy of that space

The only permission you need... is your own.

I know it feels scary. That moment between thinking and speaking can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff.

But let me share something that's working for my clients...

Instead of waiting to be called on, try this:

✨ Be prepared to answer! Decide before you step into the meeting that your voice is worthy of taking up space there! Decide!

✨Give yourself permission to put your voice in that room. Remember that your permission is all that is required here and no one else’s!

✨Remind yourself of the value that you know that you bring. Breathe in that truth deeply and intentionally and then speak!

✨Keep track of each time you speak up voluntarily and celebrate that win! Celebrate!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 It will help your brain to remember that action as one that brings joy!

Because here's the truth...

No one is going to tap you with a magic wand and declare: "Now you have permission to be brilliant!"

That power has always been yours.

You just need to use it.

Ready to stop waiting and start speaking?

Hit reply and tell me: What's ONE thing you've been waiting for "permission" to say?

Let's break this pattern together. 💫

Love, Laughter & Light,

‘Ronke

P.S. Every time you speak up voluntarily, you're not just changing your own story... you're showing other brilliant women what's possible. Think about that next time you're deciding whether to raise your hand. ✨