Heather Terrill Stotts

@HTerrillStotts

Joined July 2023

25 Following

3 Followers

5 Posts

HTerrillStotts retweeted

George Couros

@gcouros

over 1 year ago

Sometimes, the first person you need to believe in you is yourself. @LaurenKaufmanGC provides this beautiful reminder in her book, “The Leader Inside,” and it really struck me. I remember when I submitted the first draft of “The Innovator’s Mindset” to a publishing company, they sent it back and told me they did not like my writing style. It was not “academic” enough for their liking and shared too many stories. They wanted the book to read like others that they had published. The thing was, a) that was not my writing style, and b) I struggled reading that type of book. I know many others appreciate that style, but it wasn’t my preference. As much as I thought about changing the style, something didn’t sit right with me. So, instead of signing the contract, I waited. About a year later, @burgessdave approached me and asked me if I had ever considered writing a book. I told him I had, but I didn’t think he would like it. He asked me to send it his way and told me that it was precisely what he had hoped I would be willing to write since it was my own voice. I am not saying my book is better than any other book out there, but it is in my voice, and that is how I wanted it to be written. I am glad that I hesitated and that eventually, someone also believed in me. If you focus on creating something about appeasing others, you will lose your voice. If you do something authentic and believe in, it will find the people looking for it. I heard the idea, “Authenticity over approval,” and that will always resonate. Success is yours to define and create, but that ultimately necessitates a belief in yourself and a willingness to shine your light on the world.