The story I almost didn’t tell

Last week, I stood on a stage and told the hardest story I’ve ever shared...

Not to strangers.
To peers.
To people who knew the story already, because they watched it unfold in real time.

It was the story of my leadership meltdown.
A season where I lost people.
And almost lost myself.

To be honest, I didn’t want to tell that one. I tried to pivot, to end with something more polished. Something safer. Something that made me look a little more… together.

But leadership isn’t about looking good.
It’s about doing good.

And sometimes doing good means telling the truth... Especially the parts you’d rather skip over.

What I was reminded of that day is this:​
Relationships aren’t built on highlight reels. They’re built on honesty, humility, and the willingness to say, “I messed up, and here’s how I’m doing better.”

When I walked off stage, no one said, “Wow, what a success story.”
They said, “Thank you. That was real. That was brave.”

And that’s what I want to keep leading with.

Not perfection.
Presence.

Thanks for being here,
Barb 💛