Kimberly Davis - Brave Leadership: Unleash Your Most Confident, Powerful, and Authentic Self to Get the Results You Need

Acknowledgments

Ive seen and met angels wearing the disguise of
ordinary people living ordinary lives.

TRACY CHAPMAN

W hen I think of all the people whove made Brave Leadership possible, I am full of gratitude. No one crosses the finish line alone.

The crossroads of my life are marked by the extraordinary professionals who have seen something in me, given me an opportunity to show what I could do and the chance to grow. Their names are like mile markers in my memory: Fred Lockyear, Michele Glisson, Jennifer Hurshell, Sherri Quesnel, Mike Cook, Cecil Johnson, and Gary Rifkin. My lifes work is a result of their ability to see possibility in me.

When I launched OnStage Leadership back in 2008, my early supporters fueled my business and allowed these tools to make a difference in the lives of the hundreds of men and women who have showed up in my classroom. Their trust in me, belief in this process, and advocacy has kept this work alive. Thank you, Greg Pattakos, Paul Allen, Mary Andereck, Kim Sosolik, Frank Lloyd, Charity Wallace, Mario Cabrera, Elisa Johnson, Mark Nagel, Ralph Elwell, Joy Evans Ayres, Carolyn Jordan, Rani Craft, Raul Trevino, and Shari Barth.

To my dear friend, Alise Cortez, who has been there for me more times than I can count. Your immeasurable support has kept me afloat both personally and professionally.

To my walking buddies, Haley Hines and Cindy Knight, thank you for helping me gain clarity, keeping me inspired, and reminding me why I need to stay the course, every step of the way.

To my husband, Tim Sutton, who encouraged this wild and crazy vision Ive been chasing and loved me through the ups and downs. You opened my eyes to a world I would have never known without you. Who knew that my purpose wasnt in the theater but rather waiting in the wings?

To my incredible OnStage Leadership stage managers, especially Cathy ONeal, who has been my partner in crime from the beginning.

To my parents, Jack and Marsha, who have not only given me permission, but have celebrated my brave from the day I was born. There are no words to express how grateful I am for you. I will never forget sitting around my kitchen table in Dallas, when you so courageously let me walk you through this strange new program I had developed called OnStage Leadership. You have always been my greatest championsmy first participants, my first blog readers, my first book editors. You have always made me feel safe to try new things, to put myself out there and live out loud. That is the incredible gift youve given me that I hope to pass on to others.

To my brother, Todd, who is the most loving, positive, and resilient person I know. Your belief in me has given me the strength to keep pushing forward when I wanted to quit.

To my dear friend and mentor, Donna Fenn, thank you for taking this fledgling under your wing and infusing her with the support and guidance that made this thing possible.

To Leah Spiro, thank you for taking the time to read Brave Leadership in its early stages. Your validation provided the fuel to keep moving forward.

To my first editor, Alice Anderson, thank you for taking me out of my writing vacuum and giving me the thoughtful feedback I needed to make this better.

Thank you to the entire team at Greenleaf Book Group, especially Daniel Pederson, Lindsey Clark, Kimberly Lance, Pam Nordberg, Kristine Peyre-Ferry, and Chelsea Richards. Your talents made this book something Im proud to share, and your professionalism made this process a joy.

To the brave men and women who have showed up in my classroom with open minds and big heartsyour willingness to ask the hard questions, share your stories, and bring the courage to take down your mask and play full-out has not only made this content better, but youve made me better.

And to my son, Jeremy, thank you for reminding me every day why the work I do is important. Its important so I can be the best mom I can be to you. Its important so I can participate in creating a world that celebrates authenticity, constructive action, and making a positive impact. Its important so, like my parents did for me, I can hope not only to unleash, but celebrate your brave.

About the Author

Former actress turned authentic leadership expert and TEDx speaker Kimberly Davis shares her inspirational message of personal power, responsibility, and impact with organizations across the country and teaches leadership programs worldwide, most notably her program OnStage Leadership, which runs in New York City and Dallas, Texas. Additionally, Kimberly teaches Authentic Influence and Executive Presence for Southern Methodist Universitys (SMU) Cox School of Businesss Executive Education Program, and partners with SMU in teaching for the Bush Institutes Womens Initiative Fellowship program (empowering female leaders from the Middle East) and for the National Hispanic Corporate Council. Kimberly lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband Tim, son Jeremy, and their feisty cat, Sulley Magee. You can learn more about Kimberly and the programs she offers at www.braveleadershipbook.com.

This journey has always been about reaching
your own other shore no matter what it is, and
that dream continues.
DIANA NYAD

THE BRAVE LEADERSHIP MANIFESTO

WE BELIEVE that our best lies in being more of who we really are, not less.

We believe that everyone has the ability to make a positive impact.

We believe that we are all far more powerful than we know and that true power comes from within, not from title or position.

We believe that being anchored in purpose gives us the presence we need to influence and helps us bring the courage to take risks.

We believe that mindful, constructive action is a worthy pursuit.

We believe that compassion and empathy matterthat embracing our humanity is crucial.

We believe that there is power in vulnerability.

We believe that we can always be betterthat there is always something to learn and ways to grow.

We believe that real connectionas a leader,

a presenter, a colleague, as a human beingis key to success.

And we believe that extraordinary results are simply a by-product of us showing up as authentically and powerfully as we can.

This is our definition of BRAVE LEADERSHIP.

For me, its something worth fighting for.
Want to join the fight?

Be a Work in Progress

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

We are all apprentices in a craft
where no one ever becomes a master.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

M y work has been influenced by countless others. I stand on the shoulders of some great researchers, academics, business experts, artists, psychologists, scientists, and writers who have not only informed and inspired what I do, but have set the stage for having these bold conversations in a work context. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the work contributed by Dan Pink, Bill George, Bren Brown, Dan and Chip Heath, Anne Lamott, Natalie Goldberg, Elizabeth Gilbert, Constantin Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Kristin Linklater, Carol Dweck, Simon Sinek, Julia Cameron, Marcus Buckingham, Seth Godin, Shawn Achor, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Seligman, William Bridges, Tom Rath, Patrick Lencioni, James Kouzes, Barry Posner, Jonathan Fields, Daniel Goleman, Nathaniel Branden, Amy Cuddy, Gretchen Rubin, and countless others. Their courageous work has helped me be more brave. Here are but a few of the resources I find myself turning to again and again: