There are seasons when staying the same costs more than changing.
For many leaders, summer is one of them — a rare pause where reflection meets opportunity.
It’s not just the sunshine or the shift in rhythm that calls us.
It’s the quiet space to realign, reset, and redefine what’s next.
That’s why this July and August, I’m inviting you to do one thing:
Dare.
Not recklessly. Not perfectly. But intentionally.
Here’s what that can look like:
Dare to Be Seen
You’ve earned your seat — but are you truly owning it?
Many leaders unconsciously downplay their strengths to fit a mold, avoid conflict, or not outpace others.
But your clarity, when expressed, doesn’t just elevate you — it sets a standard.
Try this:
- Refresh your public profile to reflect where you’re going — not just where you’ve been.
- Speak from conviction, not consensus, in your next leadership conversation.
- Name one unique strength you’ve been underutilizing — and use it this week.
Visibility is influence. Don’t confuse humility with invisibility.
Dare to Realign
The question isn’t “Am I capable?” It’s “Am I still aligned with where I can add the most value?”
As markets shift, roles evolve, and energy changes — staying relevant requires conscious recalibration.
Try this:
- Track which parts of your week spark flow — and which deplete it.
- Ask: “Where is my leadership solving yesterday’s problems?”
- Speak to someone outside your industry to stretch your thinking.
The smartest move is rarely dramatic.
It’s often the one you dare to make before others see the need.
Dare to Pause
True leadership includes rest.
A moment of stillness isn’t a waste of time — it’s a strategic reset.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Let’s normalize rest as a leadership skill.
Try this:
- Block out 15 minutes daily to do absolutely nothing — yes, really.
- Build a tech-free evening once a week.
- Redefine productivity: What if rest made you more impactful?
Stillness isn’t stagnation.
It’s wisdom in motion.
Dare to Decide
Indecision is a quiet energy drain.
When you’re leading others or running your own show, clarity is currency. And yet, we stall — overanalyzing, waiting for certainty, or fearing the fallout of a wrong choice.
But momentum doesn’t come from perfection.
It comes from movement.
Try this:
- Identify one decision you’ve been postponing — and give yourself a deadline.
- Ask yourself: “What’s the cost of not deciding?”
- Choose progress over perfection — even a 70% decision moves you forward.
Decisiveness isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about owning your path and trusting yourself to adjust.
Dare to Own It
Leadership isn’t a title — it’s a mindset.
Executives and founders often carry invisible pressure: to perform, to please, to play the part. But real power comes from owning your truth — your voice, your vision, your value.
Try this:
- Audit your calendar: Is it aligned with your priorities or others’ expectations?
- Reclaim one “yes” you regret — and renegotiate it.
- Share one bold idea or perspective you’ve been sitting on.
Owning your leadership means less performing, more aligning — and it starts with radical self-honesty.
Dare to Call It
Some things need to be said — or stopped.
Whether it’s calling out misalignment, naming the elephant in the boardroom, or ending what no longer serves… silence is costly.
You don’t need to make noise. But you do need to make it known.
Try this:
- Reflect on: “What am I tolerating that’s draining me?”
- Practice saying one uncomfortable truth — clearly and respectfully.
- Exit one commitment or habit that no longer serves your growth.
Clear leadership creates clear culture. And it begins by calling things what they are.
Dare to Protect Your Energy
You are your most critical asset.
Without physical stamina, mental agility, and emotional clarity — nothing scales.
Self-care isn’t about escape. It’s about capacity.
Try this:
- Schedule downtime like investor meetings — non-negotiable.
- Move, nourish, and rest your body as if your performance depends on it — because it does.
- Normalize asking for strategic support — before burnout becomes your business model.
When you care for yourself, you model sustainable leadership.
Dare to Shift
What small change would create a disproportionate impact?
Leaders often think reinvention requires an overhaul.
In reality, it starts with subtle, intelligent recalibrations.
Try this:
- Tweak one habit: your morning routine, your response to stress, your screen time.
- Ask: “Is this the only way — or just the most familiar?”
- Try a micro-change for 7 days. Reflect on the results.
Small shifts compound.
That’s how change becomes sustainable.
Dare to Explore
Exploration isn’t indulgent — it’s how leaders stay visionary.
The edge isn’t where you know. It’s where you’re curious.
Try this:
- Take one class in something outside your industry.
- Say yes to a new collaboration or network.
- Travel — even locally — with curiosity.
Exploration expands your vision — and opens new doors.
Dare to Begin Again
No matter where you are — stuck, thriving, doubting — you can always choose to start again.
Begin not because the past didn’t work, but because you’re ready for what’s next.
Try this:
- Write a letter to your future self dated 6 months from now.
- Let go of one outdated expectation.
- Choose one brave next step — and take it this week.
Bold moves don’t always look dramatic.
Sometimes they start with a whisper, a nudge, a shift in posture.
What Will You Dare This Summer?
We work with executives, founders, and seasoned professionals navigating growth, reinvention, or transition.
If you’re feeling the nudge — to pivot, stretch, or slow down with purpose — let’s talk.
A strategic call might be the beginning of your next bold move. Lucky you! Here’s a direct link to my agenda.
