Beyond the if
Embracing Fear, Rejecting Doubt, and Stepping Into Your Power as a Young Woman Leader
Senior Leadership: Collegiate Style
As a student leader, researching these realities has transformed my own approach to leadership. It has pushed me to leverage my campus leadership courses, use positive self-talk to block out external criticism, and protect my mental headspace.
We are actively shifting the metrics of success.
The next time you stand outside a room where decisions are being made, walk in scared. When student elections are around the corner and you're contemplating writing your name on a ballot, sign up scared.
Accepting the risk of failure is the first step toward becoming a successful leader. That single step, which may seem small, can create a significant trajectory toward becoming the leader your younger self always wanted to be.
As girls becoming women, let us be the generation that turns being content into being confident.
Senior Leadership: Collegiate Style
As a prominent leader at Babson College, navigating student leadership across multiple communities—including a student-run business, Student Government, Greek Life, Peer Mentorship, Dance Team, and various Discord communities—I have learned firsthand the complex maze young women leaders must navigate when stepping into positions of authority at the collegiate level.
However, this gap does not exist because women lack meaningful contributions. Instead, it persists because of lingering confidence gaps—and I am here to help eliminate them.
When we filter less and speak more honestly, we realize how difficult it can be to hold our peers accountable. It can be uncomfortable to address sorority standards with a peer or tell an executive board member that their work is not sufficient because you don't want to come across as "mean."
But we need to shift away from waiting for the "perfect" circumstances to insert ourselves. Instead, we need to deliberately step into authority—even when it means risking failure, rejection, or negative commentary.
True leadership is not about avoiding rejection. It is about recognizing that every setback can become a masterclass in developing the skills and self-trust required to lead.
I Am Here Because I Am Capable
When you look around a boardroom or campus committee, it is easy to default to a defensive, insecure mindset:
"I don't feel capable of being here."
"Can I really do this? I feel like I may be in over my head."
Or, worst of all, you hear a peer say:
"I don't know why you want to do that. It's optional to take on more work."
Those thoughts can isolate us mentally and physically, making us feel like guests in spaces that were built for others.
We must consciously flip that script.
The new mindset requires us to say:
"I am in this room. I have earned my place in this role through my experience and capabilities, and it is incredibly impactful that I am here with my unique ideas, perspectives, and leadership approach."
This isn't empty self-talk. These are words I reiterate to myself before presentations, election results, and moments of uncertainty to remind myself that I am prepared and capable.
It is normal to feel anxious. In fact, almost everyone experiences it.
What can make you stand out as a leader and help you rise above your peers is learning to use that anxiety as a friendly reminder that you care about the work you have produced and the moment in front of you matters.
Own Your Work. Own Your Space. Own Your Anxiety.
The Power of Rejection: A Metric of Courage, Not Qualification
Stepping into leadership requires a foundational shift in how we define failure.
Failure is not a measure of being unqualified. It can be evidence that you were brave enough to put your ideas forward and allow them to be judged in the open.
The moment you begin receiving negative comments, pushback, or opposing opinions, you shouldn't automatically view them as signs that you should step back.
Opposition means your ideas have entered the conversation.
And sometimes, being challenged means you have successfully gained enough attention to disrupt the status quo.
Every time you run for an executive board seat, pitch a bold concept, or apply for a stretch role and don't get it, you are doing something valuable: you are collecting data, developing resilience, and sharpening your strategic edge.
Failure teaches you how to pivot. It teaches you how to refine your message, strengthen your communication, and command a room more effectively the next time.
Most importantly, surviving failure builds self-trust.
You realize that rejection is not an indictment of your worth. It is simply part of the process.
When you prove to yourself that you can get knocked down and step right back into the room, you develop the self-trust required to carry the weight of true authority.
Redefining Leadership for the Future
Moving past the "if" means actively creating the future you have worked so hard to build.
It represents the shift from passive aspiration to active execution. You stop hoping for an invitation to the conference and start becoming the person they invite to speak.
By stepping firmly into this space, you transform every past rejection and hard-earned lesson into the foundation of your authority.
Ultimately, the "if" is where your potential meets your reality, allowing you to confidently own your voice and define the impact you will leave on your campus.
Do it for the girl who used to slip into her mom's high heels and pitch brilliant ideas to an audience of stuffed animals.
Do it for the girl who was silenced, sidelined, or told she was "too bossy" simply because she had the courage to lead.
Do it for every young girl out there who is waiting to see someone like you prove that her voice matters.
But most importantly, do it for the woman you want to become.
The woman who steps into the room, embraces the challenge, and boldly owns her power.
Be bossy. Be selfish. Be bold.
