_edited.png)
Have you ever experienced something that made you take a step back and truly assess what drives you? That’s exactly what happened when I took the Dare to Lead Leadership Training. It helped me uncover two core values that now guide everything I do: Learner and Kindness. If you take a moment to reflect on your own values, you might find they can lead you toward living with more intention, connection, and impact.
Before I took the Dare to Lead course, I already felt a pull toward growth and curiosity, but it wasn’t until the training that I truly embraced what it meant to live by these values every single day. The course wasn’t just about leadership in the traditional sense—it was about vulnerability, courage, and authenticity. And these are things I know can be just as important for you, whether you’re leading a team or navigating your business journey.
Learner is a value that I’ve always held close. But after taking Dare to Lead, I realized it’s not just about gaining new skills or knowledge—it’s about being open to continuous growth, especially when things get uncomfortable. The training challenged me to embrace learning in all aspects of my life, even when it means stepping into the unknown or facing hard truths. The beauty of being a learner is that it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to grow and evolve.
And then there’s Kindness, which is a value that’s so important for me—and, I believe, for everyone. Before the course, I knew kindness meant being kind to others. But Dare to Lead taught me something crucial: kindness to myself is just as important. It’s easy to be tough on ourselves, especially when we’re working hard or facing challenges. But kindness is what allows us to show up fully, both for ourselves and others. It’s about embracing imperfections, forgiving ourselves, and giving ourselves room to learn and grow. This is something I believe can make all the difference in how you lead and live.
One of the most profound examples of kindness I’ve experienced recently happened while I was organizing our first event with Virtzilla. We were looking for a photographer, and while we had a limited budget, I knew I didn’t want to ask for creative services for free. It was important to me that photographers and creatives are compensated fairly for their work. With a modest budget, we could only offer $50 for an hour of service, but we knew we could provide value in other ways—like sharing this photographer’s contact with our networks and building a relationship for future projects.
When I posted in an Amateur Photography Facebook Group, asking for help, the response was... let’s just say, less than kind. I got trolled hard, with people criticizing the very idea of offering $50 for creative services. But in the midst of the negativity, something truly special happened. One person, Taaliya, reached out. She saw the value in what we were doing—helping women entrepreneurs for an International Women’s Day event—and offered her services for this humble price.
Her kindness was a game-changer for us, and it was exactly the kind of support we needed to make our event a reality. In a world where it can be easy to focus on what’s wrong or what we don’t have, her selflessness reminded me of the power of showing up with kindness, empathy, and a willingness to help others.
It’s this kind of kindness, whether from strangers or friends, that helps us push through challenges and create something meaningful together.
Now, with these values in mind, I’m stepping into new leadership roles and opportunities, excited to put them into action. I’m leading the Social Media Committee at work, and I’m putting my commitment to learning and kindness into practice with my team.
I’m so excited to share this journey with you as I co-host my first-ever Marketing Mingle. It’s designed to be a relaxed space for business owners to connect, share marketing experiences, and learn from our keynote lesson. If you're looking to discuss real-world challenges and leave with fresh insights to elevate your marketing, I’d love for you to join us!
MORE FROM SWEET TALK
Comments