To the Leader + Healer in you,

I was putting together the finishing touches on a program I was getting ready to share and in it I mention healers + leaders.

I asked a friend that I trust and respect to have a look at it and share her feedback, knowing this was an offer she would *get*. 

This is a woman who has started and been successful with more than one business, a woman who provides business support and guidance to other powerful people, a woman who shows up for her friends, and also practices exquisite self-care, a woman who mothers her multiple children with strength and intention and does it all from a place of doing things differently. 

So I found her feedback incredibly valuable and fascinating and I think you might too. 

She said, "It looks GREAT, but I don't identify as a healer or leader."

WOAH. 

This sentiment really surprised me. 

If you are effecting positive change, if you are someone that another (or many others) look to for guidance, inspiration, how-to, or if you strive to make other people’s lives better - 

YOU are a healer and leader.

Sometimes we lose sight of our impact, sometimes we dissociate from these words because they've been used to sell in a way that's cheapened them, or because we've been disappointed by folks claiming to be a healer or leader and then not living up to their title or role. Sometimes we fear we won’t be able to live up to the role, and sometimes we’re tired and don’t want anything to do with something that feels like more responsibility. Sometimes we think we have to have certain letters after our name, or a particular number of fans + followers in order to identify as a leader, influencer, or healer. 

Often times we’ve internalized the oppressive belief that we’re not meant or able to be a leader or other power*full in the world role. This can be even more true depending on your lived experience, identities, history, and current support circle.

I get those thoughts. (Oh, do I get those thoughts!)

And I'm here to say those thoughts need to be challenged. 

Language matters.

Do not miss out on claiming and naming the truth of your impact, your influence, your power.

Do not miss out on the opportunity to shift the cultural norm around who holds and expresses leadership, and influence.

Look around you today and notice who's paying attention to you. In your home, your community, and your business. Maybe it's your neighbors, the parents of your children’s friends, your employees, your 4 or 400k followers, your friends, your clients, or maybe it's just your cat. 

Know that for all who are paying attention to you, all who are in your circle, YOU are a leader - and if you choose to bring intention and care to them, you are also a healer. 

Claim and reclaim language that speaks the truth of who you are and who you aspire to be. Don’t let “them” have it.

Let yourself be and be known as the powerful person you are. 

When you feel unsure or stuck on the language, ask yourself “who and what wins when I don’t own my leadership, healership, and influence?”

We need leaders + healers, we need your unique medicine, and from what I've seen you need it too. YOU are healed when you are in your full Vocati power. 

xo

Danielle