As a kid, I was a good girl. A rule follower.
First a devoted Catholic, then born again Christian, determined to do good, follow the rules of the church and serve the Lord.
I followed the rules…until I didn’t.
Even now I’m sometimes surprised by the rebel in me.
Because I’m a natural leader, but I’m also really good at following. When it feels right.
One of the biggest lessons came when I was 25, working at a gym selling memberships.
The small company was founded by a man who had transformed himself from a scrawny college kid to a muscular athelete, and they were big on personal development.
Books like, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Built to Last and Good to Great were required reading for the sales team, and I lapped it up.
That’s where I first heard about “eagles” vs. “ducks.”
Ducks follow rules and do what they’re told. Quack, quack, quack.
Eagles think for themselves and are empowered to make decisions.
“We have a team of eagles,” my manager said proudly.
But when I voiced a genuine concern about our sales team, I was immediately shut down and labeled a troublemaker.
Turns out, they didn’t want eagles. They wanted ducks who pretended to fly – and that wasn’t me.
It was only my outstanding sales record that kept me from getting fired. (Which blew my mind – how could “good girl” Steph get fired?)
But I never forgot the lesson:
I’m a phenomenal team player, as long as I’m treated like a partner.
I won’t take orders blindly, but I’ll collaborate with joy any time.
I don’t need to be the one in charge, but I do need to feel respected and included in decisions.
When I lead, it’s not “my way or the highway.” It’s about discovering our way, together. It’s worth taking the time because including our collective genius just makes sense.
This is how I run The Awakened Business, with my trust virtual assistant, Liza.
It’s how I co-create courses like Love Money with Ryn Bonney.
It’s how I work with every contractor and client.
There may be a place for hierarchy, but that’s not the game I want to play.
Leadership is fluid and intuitive. It knows when to speak and when to listen, when to step forward and when to step back.
That’s the kind of leadership you’ll cultivate in the 12-Month Being Unstoppable in Life & Business Mentorship.
In this intimate container, you get high-level support to:
- Lead and live from your deepest truth
- Build a business that aligns with who you really are
- Create results without sacrificing joy, freedom, or integrity
- Co-create a new way of being in business, together
This is a space for eagles. For co-creators. For brilliant misfits who never quite fit the mold—and are ready to lead something better.
If you’re curious, reply to this email. I can’t wait to explore partnering to create your vision.
Yours in love and play,
Steph
