Image created by Google AI.
Make Bold Requests (Even If It Scares You)
Bold leadership isn’t about being fearless; it’s about choosing growth over comfort. Whether it’s requesting a raise, proposing a new initiative, or challenging the status quo, bold leaders recognize that progress begins with the courage to ask. They understand that staying silent maintains the current state, while speaking up opens doors to new opportunities.
Embracing discomfort is a catalyst for personal and organizational development. By stepping into vulnerability, leaders not only advocate for themselves but also inspire others to do the same.
Reflect on a bold request you’ve been postponing. Today, take the first step: draft that message, schedule the meeting, or initiate the conversation. Remember, progress starts with the ask.
#LeadWithVision #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CommunicateToInspire #LeadTheChange #LeadershipVoice#Blogboost #AdvantaStrategies #LeadershipInAction #LeadershipClarity #StrategicThinking #IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipChallenge
From Fearful to Fearless:
Every confident speaker once shook in their shoes.
How to Answer “Tricky” Questions
When you stay calm, clarify with repetition, and bridge back to your core ideas, you guide the dialogue rather than chase it. The result? You come across as thoughtful, credible, and persuasive exactly the qualities clients and colleagues remember.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Sound as Good as You Look
Trade shows can showcase your talent and brand but shouldn’t cost you your voice.
The Designer’s Elevator Pitch:
If you can’t explain your vision in a minute, you’ll lose the moment. In the world of design, opportunities often appear unexpectedly,a quick chat at a showroom, a brief meeting at a networking event, or a chance encounter with a potential...
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Advanta Strategies, LLC
814-360-1950
linda@advantastrategies.com
Asking does take courage even in our personal lives. I have been learning to ask for more help this year from my loved ones. It has brought us closer.
Bold requests aren’t always easy—especially when speaking up hasn’t felt safe in the past, or even now. I’ve experienced situations where being brave didn’t open doors; instead, it brought more pushback and pressure from leadership. Still, I do believe there’s value in standing up for yourself. I’m learning how to do that in ways that protect my well-being—and hopefully, other aspects of my life too.
I used to have a client who would always say, “Get your ASK in gear”. I still use it today.