More Than Our Story
Carol Schulte
Carol candidly shares her story. From her own struggles with mental health, to how she overcame them and in the process created a powerful tool to help others regain control over their own lives. She also talks about the company she founded: The Brave Initiative – which empowers people to step in to the bravest version of themselves. She also talks about her recent cancer diagnosis and how her journey up until this point has helped her become the bravest version of herself.
Highlights
Carol Schulte is a published author of The Brave Healing Journal, an international speaker, mental health advocate, coach, volunteer, and and founder of The Brave Initiative, which is dedicated to empowering leaders to be their bravest selves.
I do a lot of work with leaders and organizations, in order to really tap into the highest potential of their people. And then specifically, I have a program called “Brave Leader” just for high potential female leaders — to help them gain the confidence and the competence that they need to be able to use their voice, and share their ideas, and try new things — and not be afraid to get messy or to get it wrong.
No matter how brilliant of a script that you write... If you're not actually present with the audience, it's not going to have any impact whatsoever. And so don't worry, or get too caught up on your perfect slide or your perfect scripts. Open up and really just be present with the audience and remind yourself that it is about having a conversation, and if you could impact one person in that room and speak to one person, then you're winning.
I spent a lot of time trying (remove first trying before the word ‘time’) to prove and look good, and be perfect, and please, and get the accolades and the validation — because ultimately — I didn't know how to give myself my own validation. I didn't create my own barometer for success, which is one of the big things that I talk about.
Being down and depressed is something that I would not wish on my worst enemy, and I think until it's something that you've experienced yourself, it's really hard to understand. It's really hard to know.
I realized I have to share this eventually, not only because I've been someone who's always been about vulnerability and authenticity and the importance of sharing who you are to connect deeper with other people, but also because I wanted to let other people know that whatever they may be struggling with, it doesn't take away from who they are, it's not their identity.
It's something that they're living with.
Once you're aware of where you're at, and you're honest with yourself... you can then take small steps of consistent action to help build out that brave muscle and build that momentum to keep going so that you can start to realize while a lot of things are out of your control, there are some things that are, and it's those small things that actually make a big difference.
I think having gone through what I'd gone through previously and having these tools helped tremendously. I think we need to take the time to actually acknowledge what's happening as well, and realize that we're not going to just check our email and get on our calendar events right away. We need to take some time to process.
The Brave Initiative
Empowering leaders to be their bravest selves at work and in life.
The Brave Healing Journal
A guided journey to find your brave and empower your life… one day at a time.
Daniel
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