What does it mean to break boundaries in a world that often tries to confine us?
How do we embrace our authenticity while navigating societal norms and expectations?
These are questions I had the privilege of exploring on The Boundary Breakers Collective Talk Show, hosted by the inspiring Helena Demuynck.
Breaking Boundaries and Building Authentic Leadership: My Journey on the Boundary Breakers Collective Talk Show
In this empowering episode, we dived deep into the art of breaking societal norms, crafting authentic personal brands, and embracing intuitive leadership. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways, some controversial truths, and why aligning your personal values with professional success is a game-changer for women leaders.
💡Defying Societal Boxes: Stop Letting the World Define You
As women, we are often placed in boxes defined by societal expectations: the ideal employee, the perfect mother, the flawless leader. These roles can feel confining, limiting our potential to shine in ways that align with our true selves.
During the episode, I shared how I broke free from such expectations, moving from flight attendant to corporate professor to entrepreneur. Each step required courage and a willingness to challenge norms that dictated who I “should” be. Helena and I explored how defying these roles isn’t just liberating—it’s essential for carving your unique path to success.
Controversial Truth: Staying within the lines society has drawn for us is the fastest way to lose yourself. Women leaders need to stop seeking validation from these arbitrary rules and start crafting their own definitions of success.
💡Intuition: Your Unrecognized Superpower
One of the most powerful tools in any leader’s arsenal is intuition, a skill that society often undervalues in favor of logic and data. Yet, intuition is deeply rooted in wisdom and experience, offering insights that no spreadsheet or report can provide.
I shared how trusting my intuition has shaped my journey, from making pivotal career decisions to guiding clients in building authentic brands. In the discussion, we emphasize the importance of reconnecting with this inner voice, especially in high-pressure environments where doubt often creeps in.
Practical Takeaway: Create moments of stillness in your life to listen to your intuition. Whether through mindfulness, journaling, or simply unplugging, give yourself the space to hear what your inner wisdom is trying to tell you.
💡Aligning Core Values: The Heart of Authentic Branding
At the heart of any strong brand, personal or professional, are core values. These values act as a compass, guiding decisions, shaping actions, and ensuring authenticity.
We discussed how aligning decisions with your core values not only strengthens your leadership but also creates a brand identity that resonates deeply with others. This alignment builds trust and fosters genuine connections, which are invaluable in today’s hyper-competitive world.
Reflection Exercise: Ask yourself, What are the non-negotiable values that define who I am? Use these as a foundation for every decision you make, from business strategies to personal growth.
💡Overcoming Fear and Doubt: A Leader’s Eternal Struggle
No journey toward success is without challenges. Fear and doubt are constant companions, whispering that you’re not enough or that failure is inevitable.
Helena and I tackled this head-on, discussing strategies for overcoming these barriers. One key approach is to reframe fear as a sign of growth. If you’re uncomfortable, you’re evolving. The key is not to let doubt paralyze you but to use it as a stepping stone to greater heights.
Bold Advice: Surround yourself with people who challenge and uplift you. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely.
💡Breaking Free from Conformity: Embrace Your Brilliance
Conformity can be a comfortable place—it feels safe, predictable, and unthreatening. But it’s also a trap that stifles creativity and individuality.
I spoke about my experience as a teaching professor, where I felt invisible and undervalued despite my expertise. It was a wake-up call that conformity was holding me back. I realized that staying in that role meant compromising my growth mindset and stifling my potential. Breaking free wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to embrace my brilliance and build a career that aligns with my purpose.
Challenge for You: Reflect on where you may be conforming too much in your life. Are you staying in a role or environment because it feels safe? What could you achieve if you stepped outside that comfort zone?
💡Leadership with Authenticity: The New Standard
Leadership isn’t about fitting into an idealized mold or ticking off boxes on someone else’s checklist. True leadership comes from leveraging what makes you unique; your strengths, values, and vision.
We explored how authenticity as a leader fosters trust and inspires teams. When women leaders show up as their true selves, they create cultures of inclusivity, respect, and innovation. This is especially powerful for high-achieving women navigating male-dominated spaces.
Actionable Tip: Practice adaptive leadership. While it’s essential to stay true to your core values, learn to flex your leadership style to suit different contexts and audiences.
💡Controversy: The Myth of “Having It All”
One topic that sparked intense discussion was the societal pressure on women to “have it all.” This narrative often leads to burnout as women strive to excel in every role simultaneously.
My take? Having it all doesn’t mean doing it all. Success looks different for everyone, and it’s okay to set boundaries and prioritize what truly matters to you. Helena echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of saying “no” to what doesn’t serve your goals.
Empowering Reminder: Your worth is not measured by how much you can juggle. It’s measured by the impact you create while staying true to yourself.
💡Steps to Discover Your True Self
If you’re feeling stuck in conventional roles or overwhelmed by societal expectations, I challenge you to take the first step toward breaking free. Reflect on what’s holding you back, embrace your unique strengths, and start building a personal brand that’s authentically you.
To sum it up, here are the five practical steps for uncovering your authentic self and integrating it into your personal brand and leadership style:
- Define Your Core Values: Identify the principles that are non-negotiable for you.
- Listen to Your Intuition: Trust your inner voice as a guide for decision-making.
- Challenge Societal Expectations: Break free from roles and norms that don’t align with your vision.
- Own Your Power: Recognize and embrace the unique strengths that set you apart.
- Surround Yourself with Allies: Build a network of people who uplift, challenge, and inspire you.
💡Why Boundaries Matter in a Boundary Breaker’s Life
As a boundary breaker, I’ve learned that pushing past limits is only part of the equation. The other, equally important piece, is knowing when and where to set boundaries. Without intentional limits, even the most driven among us risk losing sight of our values and well-being.
Setting boundaries isn’t about saying “no” to growth—it’s about saying “yes” to what truly matters. By defining what we allow into our lives, we create space for the things that align with our purpose and aspirations. Breaking boundaries propels us forward, while setting boundaries keeps us grounded, ensuring that our journey remains sustainable and authentic.
Breaking boundaries and setting boundaries go hand in hand. One fuels your drive to achieve new heights, while the other provides the balance and clarity needed to sustain that momentum. These forces together help us not only to build legacies but also to live lives we are proud of.
Closing Thoughts
Being a guest on The Boundary Breakers Collective Talk Show was an incredible experience.
To every woman out there navigating societal pressures, remember this:
You have the power to define your success, embrace your brilliance, and lead with authenticity. Breaking boundaries isn’t just about stepping outside the box; it’s about rewriting the rules altogether.
What boundaries are you ready to break?
Stay bold, authentic, and unstoppable.
Want to catch the full episode? Watch it here
Special thanks to Helena Demuynck for creating a platform that empowers women to shine in their true light.
🔗 Tune into this episode on all major podcast platforms! Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, etc…
Time Markers:
0:00 – Embracing Your Journey as a Boundary Breaker
1:32 – Understanding the Concept of Boundaries
2:36 – Trusting Your Inner Wisdom
5:44 – Carving Your Own Path to Success
11:19 – Breaking Free from Conformity
12:58 – The Role of Intuition in Decision Making
16:42 – Strategies for Owning Your Power
20:20 – The Importance of Internal Stillness
22:07 – Aligning Decisions with Core Values
29:48 – Offering Guidance Through Personal Branding
31:03 – Steps to Discover Your True Self
32:40 – Closing Thoughts on Empowerment and Authenticity
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