The Real Reason I’ve Been Playing It Safe (Maybe You Too)
Like many of you, I’ve been experimenting with AI to see how it might support my work. Lately, I’ve been using it to edit my writing—to make emails and posts feel crisper.
At an event earlier this week, the host demoed a custom GPT designed to reflect the energy behind your messaging. I typed in a few lines about what I do, who I work with, and what challenge I’m navigating.
Here’s what it gave me:
“You’re struggling to say what you really do. You’ve been hiding the depth of your medicine behind safe, strategic language because you’re afraid that naming the full truth will scare people off—or worse, expose you as ‘too much.’ But the real fear? It’s that if you speak from your full voice… there will be no turning back.”
This hit hard—because I’ve heard this before. That my writing leans too much into “teacher” or “expert” and not enough into heart. That I hedge in writing, even though I don’t when I speak.
And the truth is...they’re right.
It’s the muscle memory from years in corporate life and particularly in Human Resources. Say it just right. Be strategic. Be professional. Don’t be too much.
Because here’s the thing:
I know how to be strategic. I know how to be professional. I know how to say things the “right” way.
But lately, I’ve realized—I’ve been hiding behind that polish, particularly when I write.
Not because I don’t know what I want to say.
But because I’ve been afraid:
…afraid it would be too much.
…afraid it wouldn’t land right.
…afraid I’d lose credibility or connection or safety.
So I softened it.
Packaged it.
Made it more digestible.
And in the process, I diluted the power of my own voice.
✨ And the cost?
Less resonance.
Less connection.
Less impact.
So here’s what I’m practicing now:
Letting my voice carry the full truth—not just the professionally acceptable version.
Because the leaders I serve?
They don’t need perfect.
They need real. Thoughtful. Clear.
And if you’ve been playing it safe too—telling yourself it’s strategy when it’s actually fear—I get it. Me too.
But maybe it’s time we stop hiding behind the voice we think we should use.
And start letting the real one come through.
This is me, starting to lead out loud. A little more unfiltered.
Appreciate you being here while I (nervously) burn the safety net.
And if you see me reaching for it again—feel free to call me out.
Been there too? Or breaking through it now?
I’d love to hear how you’re letting your real voice come through—drop a thought in the comments.
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