You May Never Feel Ready to Lead — and That’s Okay
Embrace the courage to lead before you feel fully ready.
We often wait for the “right moment” to step up, allowing doubts, past experiences, or fear to hold us back. Negative self-talk and uncertainty can cause us to shrink from opportunities and pathways to greatness—even when we are capable of far more.
Many women, in particular, hesitate to assert themselves or step into leadership roles. The truth is, most people don’t feel fully ready. Leadership is rarely something we master before we begin; it is learned in motion and developed over time. It is, and should be, a continuous process.
As an undergraduate nearing graduation, I remember feeling uncertain about applying for jobs. A trusted professor—my advisor and mentor—reminded me that organizations value a strong work ethic, curiosity, and a positive attitude. The rest, he said, can be learned along the way. That remains some of the best guidance I’ve ever received.
The takeaway is simple: you don’t need to feel ready to begin an experience. You only need the courage to start.
Janette Krolczyk is the Coordinator for the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, where she guides interagency collaboration and initiatives to support veterans, their families, and caregivers. She brings almost nine years of progressive experience in government operations, communications, and program coordination, with a background that…
