4 MIN READ
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I never thought I’d see myself at Harvard. For someone who didn’t shine academically as a kid, walking through the iconic gates felt surreal. The buzz of other students, the click of my Celine loafers hitting the cobblestones, and the sheer history of the place reminded me just how far I’d come. What grounded me in that moment was something more personal: a sense of belonging, growth, and the quiet confidence that I was ready to lead in my own way, proving to myself that I was always capable.
Leadership isn’t about being the boss. It’s a mindset anyone can embrace. During my time at Harvard Business School’s Advancing Women of Color in Leadership Executive Program, I learned that leadership is about showing up, owning your space, and lifting others. In this post, I’ll share what I learned and how you can embrace leadership in your own way.
Leadership Isn’t About Titles
Last year, I took some time for myself—away from friends, social media, and even writing on this very blog. I wanted to develop and understand how to become the leader I knew I could be. For a long time, I thought leadership meant managing a team, being in charge, or having a big title. But during the Harvard course, I learned otherwise. Leadership can be found in small, meaningful acts that bring value to those around us, actions that anyone can step into.
As I sat in my dorm room preparing for a session, with papers spread out on the desk, I devoured a pre-read about what’s called a “Tempered Radical”. A tempered radical is someone who makes change happen quietly, with persistence and purpose. This idea stood out to me because it made leadership feel approachable. It showed me that leadership doesn’t have to be loud or at the head of the line. It can be as simple as quietly holding things together no matter where you stand. As someone who prefers being discrete, this resonated with me. For the first time, I saw that my quieter style of leadership was just as effective as any other.
The Power of Shared Experiences
While the course content was compelling, the real magic was in the community. Eighty-nine brilliant women of color, each with stories of resilience, gathered together in a way that felt rare and profound. When our professor spoke about the unique challenges we face as women of color in leadership, the collective sighs in the room were a shared release. There was an unspoken understanding that we had all felt this struggle deeply.
What made the program even more special were the morning check-ins over coffee with my dorm mates before classes. These sessions felt safe, honest, and real. A space where we could speak openly about our wins and setbacks.
I shared details about my unconventional career journey of moving from entrepreneurship in the creative world of fashion to a more corporate setting. In turn, I listened to their stories with intent. Their experiences were layered with wisdom, emotion, and resilience.
Looking back, I realize we were already acting as leaders, even if I didn’t see it then.
Dreams Don’t Always Look the Way You Imagine
In high school, art was the only class I excelled in. I tried my best in everything else and was average at best. Toward the end of senior year, I enviously watched classmates apply to what we called the “big schools.” I felt like that path wasn’t for me, and for a long time, I believed it.
Life had a way of leading me to a dream I hadn’t even dared to imagine. Applying for and being accepted into this leadership program felt like stepping through a door I didn’t even know existed. Standing in the sunlight on the Harvard Business School campus, I realized that life sometimes doesn’t go as planned, but it can still lead to places we never imagined.
As I mentioned in my post, “Why I Hate and Love Fashion,” sometimes we must be open to the unexpected. In that post, I reflected on the importance of pivoting and embracing change, choosing to let go of what no longer serves us and trusting in what’s ahead. This leadership program was a reminder of that lesson: letting go, trusting opportunities, and being willing to evolve are all forms of leadership. For me, it meant setting a new direction, being courageous, and leading change within myself. By daring to turn old dreams into reality, I learned that leadership starts with believing in yourself and your ability to grow.
IS THERE A LEADER IN YOU?
Today, I can say I earned a Harvard certificate, but more importantly, I transformed how I see myself. It’s about showing up authentically and acting with intention, no matter your role or title. Whether you’re leading a team, a project, your family, or even just yourself, the power to lead is within you.
5 Takeaways to Help You Lead in Your Own Way
1. Leadership starts with the actions you take every day.
2. Quiet change-makers have the power to make a big impact.
3. Shared experiences can unlock new perspectives and possibilities.
4. Life’s detours often lead to unexpected and meaningful destinations.
5. The first step to leading is showing up for yourself.
Leadership starts with showing up. How will you show up for yourself today?
Join the conversation, share in the comments!
For more on personal development, check out my earlier post on embracing change: WHY I HATE AND LOVE FASHION