The very bold and brave, Ally Rees Mehnert.
Today I get to return to my alma mater, Shell to speak at the Annual Women's Conference about being bold and brave. A few months ago I decided to be bold and brave and take on Sheryl Sandberg's #banbossy campaign and my LinkedIn post went viral. It will be the subject of my talk.
For as long as I can remember I was a bold and brave girl. In fact I often got called bossy and the other b-word.
Labels are awful, period. I'm unconventional, think differently, was often bullied, am sometimes stubborn, but I've embraced who I've become and am unafraid to share my stories of my not-so-perfect magnificently messy life.
As I prepared for my talk today, I reflected a little bit. It took me years to find my voice.
Now that I have it, I'm being bold and brave and saying it and encouraging others to do the same.
There was a time in my life I said I'd never "go back". You hear a lot today about the need to keep the past where it is. Well, I disagree. One of my many mentors, Steve Jobs says you can't move forward until you boldly and bravely connect the dots of the past. Returning to the past isn't always a bad thing, actually. Going back better, bolder and braver closes this full circle. Nearly two years ago I left Shell, afraid. I was afraid to leave a comfortable spot in a company I loved to try something else. I don't regret this. I've embraced it.
So be that bold and brave kid, Embrace who you are. Get in the driver's seat and go!
