Marianne Williamson beautifully said, “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
I absolutely love this, because it gets to the core of why so many of us hold back. We find ourselves asking, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”
But really, who are you not to be? What if you stopped playing small and dared to embrace your full brilliance?
What’s Stopping You From Shining?
Most of us live with a hidden fear— not always of failure but the potential of how brilliant we could be.
Think about a diamond formed under immense pressure and heat. We, too, are forged through the challenges life throws at us.
Just as a diamond becomes more brilliant by cutting and polishing, so too do we when we cut, polish, and reset our inner diamonds.
But What is This Inner Diamond?
It’s where our brilliance resides.
For those familiar with my Decision Making Made Easy™ programme, you know that I talk about the importance of aligning your head (vision), heart (purpose), and gut (values).
When these three are in harmony, we shine more brightly in everything we do.
We lead with clarity, resilience, and confidence.
Authenticity Comes From Within
True brilliance doesn’t come from faking it—it comes from embracing who you truly are. We often hear “fake it until you make it,” but the truth is, real confidence comes from authenticity.
It’s not about pretending to be someone else; it’s about aligning your actions with your values, purpose and vision.
When I study something, like learning a new language, I don’t fake it—I believe in my ability to become fluent. The power of belief is transformative, but only when it’s grounded in authenticity.
The LeadingME® Ladder of Leadership
On the LeadingME® Ladder of Leadership, it’s easy to sway between ‘bigging it up’ (overconfidence) and ‘belittling yourself’ (self-doubt).
Brilliance comes when you embrace all of who you are. It’s not about showing off or thinking you’re better than others. In fact, focusing only on “bigging yourself up” leads to the opposite, it leads to belittling yourself.
We live in a world of polarity, and when you tip to one extreme, the other follows. True leadership is found in the middle ground, where we can lead with our authentic selves, grounded in our purpose.
This balance starts with embracing all parts of ourselves—both the light and the darkness.
Inspire Others with Your Brilliance
As George R.R. Martin said, “When you accept your flaws, no one can use them against you.”
When you accept both your light and your darkness, you step into your full brilliance—authentic, unshaken, and ready to shine.
Your brilliance is not just for you, it’s for the world. When you lead with compassion, generosity, and authenticity, you create space for others to shine, too.
Simple acts of appreciation—a kind word, a smile, or recognising someone’s efforts—help others feel seen, valued, and inspired.
So dare to shine. The world needs your brilliance and by stepping into your light, you give others permission to do the same.
Stay True, Stay You
And Keep Bringing Out Your Brilliance!
