Do You Have What It Takes to Pull Off Your Greatest Gambit?

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of a "Leadership Gambit," where strategic risks and bold decisions pave the way for profound personal and professional transformation. 

Are you ready to double down on your potential and challenge the limits of what you believe is possible? 

We explore how stepping outside of your comfort zone, reclaiming authenticity, and trusting your intuition can lead to long-term fulfillment and success. Whether you're redefining your identity, pivoting in your career, or simply ready to bet on yourself, this episode is your call to action. 

Discover the courage it takes to make your greatest gambit and align your leadership with your true self.

Ready to elevate your personal power and step into your most authentic self? Download the Reinvention Roadmap now and start your journey toward unmatched clarity, self-mastery, and bold transformation. This powerful guide will help you redefine your path and create a vision for your future that aligns with your deepest values and aspirations. Get instant access and begin crafting the life you’re meant to lead.

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Transcript

1:08

Welcome. Back my friends. Can you believe it is September already? And this is the time of year when we really begin to assess our progress against the goals that we set in January. And it usually goes one of two ways, depending on who you believe you are. The first way that it can go is that you realize there's more to go, then you've gone. Right. So the gap between where you thought you'd be and where you are, is much larger than you think that you can overcome and it becomes overwhelming. And you just decide to give up for this year and you'll start again in January. The second way. That I owe. Uh, often see it go is you double down. You get irrationally serious about playing all the way through. Right. It's like running through first base. When you hit that ball, you don't slow down. As you're approaching the base, you run all the way through it. And this is the one that I want to focus on in this episode. I want to introduce you to a concept that I call a leaders, gambit or leadership gambit. And keep in mind that this is both a strategy and a challenge as you're listening today. But this gambit represents a strategic calculated risk taking, taken by a leader to achieve a greater goal. Now you've most likely heard the term used in chess. And if you don't know it, I am a huge fan of the miniseries. The Queen's gambit. I think I have watched it at least five times. And if you haven't watched it. It is an incredible depiction of what it takes to be any Leete athlete and I'm air quoting athlete. Because by that, I don't just mean in the sports arena. I believe that anyone who is a high achiever is considered an athlete. Especially when we're talking in terms of a mental game. So interests. Uh, gambit involves sacrificing a piece to gain a positional advantage. Similarly in leadership, this could translate to making a bold decision. One that might seem counterintuitive or involve short-term sacrifices. To secure long-term success or a transformational outcome. In practice, a leadership gambit could involve the following. Challenging the status quo. Right. You as a leader might choose to upend conventional practices. Betting on innovation or new direction that could revolutionize your organization, business team. Even if it involves initial pushback and or discomfort. Also by taking a stand, it could represent your willingness to take a principled stand. On an issue like risking popularity or immediate results. For the sake of integrity or a higher purpose believing. That this will ultimately inspire trust and loyalty. It could mean investing in talent, right? Uh, leadership gambit also, um, might involve this investment or investing heavily in the development of a team member who shows potential, but isn't yet fully proven write that up and comer that you just know has what it takes and they just need. Additional mentorship from you or guidance or support. Right. You bet on their growth, sacrificing short term efficiency for the future payoff of having this highly capable and loyal ally in your, on your team. And it could also involve pivoting and innovating. In times of uncertainty or change it. Might, or you might pivot the, um, your strategy right? For your business or your organization. And sacrifice the current stability for longterm adaptability and growth. But regardless in all cases, a leadership gambit is about foresight, courage, and the willingness to accept risk for the possibility. Of a significant transformative reward. It's a move that requires confidence, not just in your vision, but in your ability to navigate the complexities and the challenges that come with making such a bold decision. And in the context of personal leadership. The, the concept of a leadership gambit, and that's kind of how I'm separating them. Like a leader's gambit is more strategic on the business side and leadership gambit is personal and it's how you lead yourself. And. This concept takes on a deeply, uh, introspective and strategic dimension to it. It's about making calculated, sometimes difficult decisions that serve your longterm vision of who you want to be and how you want to lead your life. And here's how this concept could play out in personal leadership. Right? Similar to what we just went through with a business side. It could look like I'm sacrificing your comfort zone. As personal leadership often requires us to, uh, step out of familiar roles and routines and identities that no longer serve your growth. The gambit here is sacrificing the safety and predictability of your current state, or maybe the illusion of that. For the potential gambit that lies beyond your comfort zone. And this might involve confronting limiting beliefs, changing deeply ingrained habits or taking on new challenges that stretch your capabilities. Right. We always talk about going to the edge of our comfort zone. It could also look like you. Reclaiming authenticity. And this was a big one for me. Uh, leadership gambit in. Personal leadership is about reclaiming authenticity. Even if it means risking how others perceive you. And this could mean choosing to show up as your true self without the masks or the personas. That have helped you fit into certain environments and roles. And the gamble is that by being authentic, you may alienate some. But you'll ultimately attract the opportunities and relationships and experiences that align to your true self. Another thing is strategic risk. We are. Risk averse. I believe, especially as women we're raised to be risk averse. And in personal leadership. Your constantly weighing short-term game gains against long-term fulfillment. Uh, leadership gambit might be the decision to pursue a passion or a calling that doesn't offer immediate results. But promises deep satisfaction and alignment with your purpose. And this could involve like a career change, starting a new adventure, or even. Just shifting your priorities in life to focus on what truly matters to you. It also. Looks like transforming your identity, right. The process of identity transformation in and of itself is a gambit you're taking your bedding. On this future version of yourself. And it's about letting go of an old identity and one that might have brought you success and validation. In order to step into a new, more aligned version of yourself. This could mean redefining what success looks like for you. It could be shifting from external validation to internal fulfillment. Or embracing new values or values that you didn't hold a boundary on before. That reflect your evolving understanding of yourself and the world. And it could also become, be becoming intimately aware of your shadow operating system. To the point where, you know, when to override it. In the pursuit of an impossible goal. It's really, really about becoming intimately. Aware of who you are and how you operate. It also plays out in navigating the internal narratives that we have. Right. It involves a deep understanding of these narratives, the stories you tell yourself about who you are and what you're capable of. Uh, leadership gambit might be. The decision to challenge and rewrite these narratives, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths about yourself. The gamble is that by doing so you unlock new possibilities for growth and transformation that were previously hidden from your old stories or by your old stories. Uh, gambit around your personal narratives will require you to get incredibly honest with yourself about who you are. And what you want. And then lastly, it's about owning your decisions. Ultimately a leadership gambit in personal leadership is about owning your decisions. Recognizing that every choice you make is a strategic move in the game of life. And it's about. Um, being willing to take the risks, knowing that you're the architect of your destiny. And by embracing this mindset, you move from a place of reactive living into one of proactive, intentional leadership in your own life. So in essence, the leadership gambit in personal leadership is about betting on yourself. On your ability to grow, adapt, and lead your life with purpose and authenticity. It's a call to make bold strategic moves. That may challenge you in the short term, but ultimately lead to profound longterm transformation and fulfillment. And I cannot tell you. How much. I see this happening. Um, More and more these days, like, My clients. That's why they're coming to me because they want to make these type of big bold moves. And they want the mentorship and support around that because it's kind of a lonely journey. Um, as we. Step into like who we really are. And we start asking for what we want. We start taking responsibility for creating what we want and owning our decisions and standing by our values and holding boundaries, even with ourself, like, especially with ourselves, those are the toughest ones for us to hold and they. Are looking for that type of mentorship and that type of community support. So this whole concept. That I've coined leadership, gambit align seamlessly with my mentorship approach. And particularly in guiding leaders through identity re-invention and transformation. And I just want to give you like a quick view of how this all fits together, because I think it's super relevant, relevant. Whether, you know, you work with me or another mentor to understand, like, this is what your. Headed for like, this is what you're trying to accomplish. So. Identity reinvention itself or transformation, whatever you want to call it is a gambit. And when as a leader, you engage in this re-invention you are in essence making the gambit. You're willing to sacrifice an old version of yourself. One that might have brought you success in the past. And I would say, not even might, it did like. All of the women that I work with are high, achieving, highly accomplished women. They've already. Um, Hit a level of success that others, you know, dream about hitting or strive to be hitting, like they've hit a level where. There. Basic needs. And beyond are being fully met by their accomplishments and their success so far. They're willing to sacrifice that version of themselves. And in favor of embracing a new identity that aligns more deeply. With. Your evolving values and vision are there above involving values and vision. And this is a strategic risk and it's one that requires courage into the unknown or to step into the unknown. And faith in the longterm rewards of personal growth and transformation. They also experience. Strategic sacrifice. And it might involve you recognizing elements of your current leadership style or identity that no longer serve you or your organization, business life, whatever. And this could mean letting go of certain habits, beliefs, or even roles that have defined you, but are now hindering your growth. The old, what got you here? Won't get you there saying right. The leadership gambit here is the deliberate choice to shed these aspects. In favor of a more aligned and powerful expression of your leadership. It also. Represents the bold decisions that you must make during your transformation journey. You will be called to make strategic choices that seem risky in the short term. Like pursuing a new direction, changing your habits or patterns or redefining your goals. But which are necessary for achieving the long-term depth, mastery and fulfillment that you are seeking. And lastly it's about empowering your agency. And with this frame, experiencing your transformation as a leadership gambit empowers you to see your journey, not as a loss of your former self. But as a powerful strategic move. It's about taking control of your narrative and embracing the risks inherent in true transformation. And understanding that these are the types of choices that you will be called to make. So the leadership gambit becomes a metaphor for deep strategic work that you undertake as you align your leadership with your true identity. Making courageous moves that will ultimately lead you to a more authentic and impactful. Form of personal and professional leadership and fulfillment. And it doesn't end there. My friends. In order to do this. It requires it's like a. I almost want to say it's dominoes of gambits that you're taking as you embark on an identity, reinvention or transformation. And. Trusting your intuition and the direction that the universe is leading you. Is very much a form of. A gambit. And here's why. It often means. Surrendering the need for complete control or certainty. It's about believing that there's a deeper wisdom guiding you. Even when the path ahead, isn't fully clear. The gambit here is in relinquishing the perceived safety of logic and conventional thinking in favor of something that feels right. Even if you can't fully explain why. It also. Involves embracing uncertainty, right? Like we just kind of mentioned following the direction that the universe is leading. You often involves stepping into the unknown. And this is a gamble because it requires you to act without having all of the answers or a guaranteed outcome. The risk lies in the possibility that the past might not unfold the way you expect. But the potential reward is alignment with a higher purpose and calling that leads to true fulfillment. This is going to require you to listen to that inner voice, right? Because our, our intuition is often subtle and it requires us to quiet the external noise and listen to our internal voice. The gambit here is trusting that, that quiet voice. Um, or trusting that voice over the louder, more rational voices around you. It's strategic. It's a strategic risk to believe that your inner knowing, especially when it contradicts what others might say or when logic isn't. Um, immediately apparent. All right. That is going to feel very risky. And. When you do, though, when you trust the university's direction, you're choosing to align with a flow that might not always make sense in the moment. It's basically a leap of faith. To believe that everything is unfolding exactly as it should. Even if the path seems unconventional or challenging. Right. This is the essence of a gambit risking the familiar and comfortable for the potential of something greater. Something that resonates deeply with your true self, your true north. And. Often. Intuition and the universe guide us towards paths that prioritize purpose over predictability. And this might mean pursuing a passion, making a significant life change or taking a stand for something. That feels deeply. Right to you, correct to you. The gambit here is in prioritizing what feels meaningful over what seems secure. Trusting that the universe has your back in ways that you might not fully understand. And then finally it also is going to require you to transcend fear, I guess, is the words I'm going to use. The fear of the unknown. Of making mistakes or of being wrong. The gambit is in choosing to act. I was going to say, despite these fears, but I got new terminology recently and something I was reading. By using the fear as fuel for action. Right? Usually when we come up against something. That is scary where we have to like, decide, am I, am I going to rise to the challenge or am I going to shrink from the fear? And in the true gambit is. I'm going to rise. I'm going to bring my identity up to the level of someone who is willing to take this risk. And this, um, Choosing to act. With fear as your motivation is really about knowing that true growth and transformation often. Often require stepping into discomfort. So in personal leadership, this kind of gambit is profound because it taps into the deep layers of who you are. What you're truly here to do. It's about making decisions, not just with your mind, but with your heart and your soul, trusting that these choices while risky. We'll lead you exactly where you need to be. It's the ultimate form of leadership. Leading, not just with strategy, but with wisdom, intuition and faith in the process. So. I know this one is a long one. I could go on and on and on about all the gambits that are required. Or that show up for us to choose. And as we're going through some type of reinvention or transformation, But the biggest, one of all that you're going to be asked to take in this process. Is to bet on yourself. It is the ultimate risk reward equation. Because when you bet on yourself, your placing the ultimate wager on your own potential. Capabilities and vision. And unlike external investments where you can somewhat predict outcomes based on data and trends. Betting on yourself involves trusting your inner resources, your resilience, your creativity, your determination, your grit, your passion. Right against all odds. And the reward. Is living a life that's not just successful, but deeply filling and aligned with who you truly are. It also. Inquires you or inquires you, it requires you. To embrace vulnerability. Betting on yourself means stepping into your own vulnerability. It's acknowledging that there are no guarantees, no safety nets and that failure is a possibility. Yet you choose to move forward anyway. Driven by the belief that you are worth the risk. This vulnerability is where true growth happens. It's where you discover the depths of your strength and the Heights of your potential. It is going to require you to have a foundation of self-trust. Because the biggest aspect of this gambit is the level of self-trust that it demands. It's about believing that you have what it takes to navigate. Whatever comes your way to learn from your failures to keep moving forward. Even when the journey is tough. It's trusting your intuition skills and passions. Trusting that they will guide you where you are going. Even when the path isn't clear at all, like, you don't know where you're going, but you have to trust that they are taking you where you're going. If that makes sense. And then. Lastly it's about creating your own. Destiny. Betting on yourself is a declaration. That you are the architect of your own destiny. It's about taking ownership of your life decisions and future. This kind of self-leadership means that you're not waiting for opportunities to be handed to you. You're creating them. It's the most empowering move you can make because it shifts the power back to you. So in the grand scheme of life, bending on yourself is the biggest gambit because it requires you to go all in on your own dreams, potential and worth. It's a bold move that says, I believe in me. Even when the odds are uncertained. And in that there's immense power because when you bet on yourself, You're not just playing the game. You're changing it. So my friends. Here's where the rubber meets the road. Are you ready to step up? Are you ready to make your leadership gambit? Take a moment right now. Yes, right now, even if you're driving, pull over pause this episode, like, I don't want you to say that you're going to come back and do this later. Because we know that's a lie. So right this minute, identify the move you need to make. Write it down, speak it out loud, share it with someone you trust, commit to it. This is your moment to stop playing small and start leading your life with intention and power. And I want to hear from you share your leadership gambit with me, whether it's on social media or an email, or even a voice note, if we're connected in that way. Tell me about the risk that your taking. The old identity that your shedding and the new path that you're carving out for yourself. Because remember leadership, isn't just about leading others. It's about leading yourself first. And that begins with making bold moves that only you can make. So if this episode resonated with you, take action. Share it with someone who needs to hear it and make sure that you're subscribed. So that you don't miss the next deep dive into what it takes to lead a life that not just successful, but truly fulfilling. Until next time. Keep leading with courage and conviction and remember. The most powerful move you can make is the one where you bet on yourself. Bye.