WOLFPACK

1. Embrace Your Inner Wolf: You Were Always Powerful

You were never Little Red Riding Hood. You were always the Wolf.

Redefine your narrative. Society often teaches women to be cautious, obedient, and to dim their light. This old narrative keeps women confined and prevents them from realizing their true potential. The author challenges this perspective, urging women to recognize their inherent power and embrace their inner wolf.

Unleash your authentic self. By rejecting societal constraints and embracing their true nature, women can unlock their full potential. This means:

• Wearing what feels authentic and comfortable
• Loving who you want to love without fear
• Pursuing your dreams and ambitions relentlessly
• Creating opportunities where none exist

The wolf symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership. By embracing this identity, women can break free from limiting beliefs and step into their power, transforming not only their own lives but also inspiring others to do the same.

2. Balance Gratitude with Ambition: Demand What You Deserve

Be grateful for what you have AND demand what you deserve.

Gratitude shouldn't limit growth. While being grateful is important, it shouldn't come at the expense of personal and collective progress. The author highlights the wage gap and systemic inequalities, emphasizing that gratitude alone won't bring about change.

Advocate for yourself and others. Women must learn to:

• Acknowledge their worth and contributions
• Speak up about unfair treatment or compensation
• Negotiate for better pay and opportunities
• Support other women in their pursuit of equality

By balancing gratitude with ambition, women can appreciate their current position while actively working towards a more equitable future. This mindset shift is crucial for personal growth and societal change, ensuring that gratitude doesn't become a tool for maintaining the status quo.

3. Lead from Anywhere: Your Position Doesn't Define Your Influence

You're either a leader everywhere or nowhere.

Leadership is not a title. True leadership isn't confined to formal positions or traditional roles. It's about taking responsibility, inspiring others, and making a positive impact from wherever you stand. The author's experience of leading from the bench illustrates this principle vividly.

Embrace everyday leadership opportunities. Leadership can be exercised in various ways:

• Supporting and encouraging others
• Speaking up against injustice
• Taking initiative in your community
• Being a positive role model in your personal life
• Making ethical decisions that influence others

By recognizing that leadership is an inherent quality rather than an assigned position, individuals can make a significant impact in their families, workplaces, and communities. This perspective empowers everyone to step up and lead, regardless of their formal title or role.

4. Transform Failure into Fuel: Persist and Learn

Sometimes we use failure to push us further down the same path. Other times, we let failure guide us to a new path. But we always keep moving forward.

Reframe failure as feedback. Instead of viewing failure as a dead end, see it as valuable information guiding your journey. The author's experience with commentating demonstrates how a perceived failure can lead to new opportunities and self-discovery.

Use setbacks as stepping stones:

• Analyze what went wrong and why
• Extract lessons from the experience
• Adjust your approach or direction if necessary
• Maintain persistence and resilience
• Celebrate the courage it takes to try and fail

By transforming failure into fuel, individuals can build resilience, gain wisdom, and continually progress towards their goals. This mindset shift allows for personal growth and opens up new possibilities that might have remained hidden otherwise.

5. Champion Each Other: Celebrate Collective Success

Her victory is your victory. Celebrate with her. Your victory is her victory. Point to her.

Reject scarcity mindset. The notion that there's only room for one woman at the top perpetuates competition and division. Instead, embrace an abundance mindset where one woman's success lifts all women.

Actively support other women:

• Amplify women's voices and ideas
• Mentor and sponsor other women
• Share opportunities and resources
• Publicly acknowledge and celebrate women's achievements
• Stand up for women facing discrimination or bias

By championing each other, women create a powerful network of support that benefits everyone. This collective approach not only accelerates individual success but also drives systemic change, creating more opportunities and breaking down barriers for all women.

6. Demand the Ball: Believe in Yourself Unapologetically

GIVE ME THE EFFING BALL.

Own your power. Don't wait for permission or validation to step up and take charge. The author's experience with Michelle Akers demonstrates the power of self-belief and assertiveness in achieving goals.

Unapologetically pursue your ambitions:

• Identify your strengths and unique contributions
• Speak up and volunteer for challenging assignments
• Take calculated risks and seize opportunities
• Don't downplay your abilities to make others comfortable
• Encourage and support others to do the same

By demanding the ball, women not only advance their own careers and aspirations but also inspire others to do the same. This ripple effect can lead to significant changes in workplace dynamics and societal norms, creating more opportunities for women to lead and excel.

7. Bring Your Full Humanity: Authentic Leadership Cultivates Leaders

Claim your power, and bring along your full humanity.

Redefine leadership. Traditional leadership often emphasizes dominance and invulnerability. The author's experience with coach Pia Sundhage illustrates a new paradigm of leadership that values authenticity, vulnerability, and inclusivity.

Lead with your whole self:

• Embrace and share your unique qualities and passions
• Be open about your challenges and learning experiences
• Encourage diverse perspectives and ideas
• Foster an environment where others feel safe to be authentic
• Cultivate leadership qualities in those around you

By bringing your full humanity to leadership, you create a more inclusive and empowering environment. This approach not only makes you a more relatable and effective leader but also inspires others to step into their own leadership potential, creating a ripple effect of authentic, empowered leadership.

8. Find Your Pack: Together We Are Stronger

Life is not meant to be lived as a Lone Wolf. We all need a Pack.

Recognize the power of community. The author's experience with running illustrates how challenges become more manageable when shared with others. Building a supportive network is crucial for personal growth and success.

Cultivate your Wolfpack:

• Seek out like-minded individuals who share your values and goals
• Offer support and ask for help when needed
• Create spaces for open, honest communication
• Celebrate each other's successes and support during setbacks
• Collaborate on shared goals and initiatives

By finding and nurturing your Pack, you create a support system that amplifies your strengths, helps you overcome challenges, and pushes you to grow. This collective strength not only benefits individuals but also has the power to drive significant societal change, as united voices are louder and more impactful than lone ones.

Last updated: November 15, 2024