How to Find the Ladybadass in You

A ladybadass is formidable, strong, fearless and willing to push through real and perceived barriers. Start manifesting your own ladybadassery by not giving away your power.

Today’s post is by Joanna Bloor, CEO of The Amplify Lab.

“How do you choose who to feature as a Ladybadass?” Such a simple question at such an auspicious moment.

My dinner guest and I had just attended an evening event with Former First Lady Michelle Obama as the Keynote Speaker. Mrs. Obama challenged us not to “give away our power.” The impact of that call to action dominated the evening conversation. In talking about women and our power, the discussion lead to an idea that started a year ago.

Ladybadassery began as an experiment. At the time, I was making both personal and professional decisions that were completely changing the course of my life. I had no road map, no guidance, no rules. I instinctively knew I was doing the right thing. However, I felt alone, vulnerable and, frankly, terrified about the future. I had friends and mentors I could call for clear and staunch support, but I realized I needed more. I needed inspiration.

During my research, I found that the overwhelming volume of content was written by and about men. It was then that my idea grew legs. I knew there were tons of amazing, inspiring women spearheading transformational projects. We just weren’t hearing about them and should be. Why not create that content myself? Why not create the content I was looking for?

For the next 100 days, I posted images, quotes, and examples of women who I thought might inspire others. I gave these women a name: Lady Badasses.

As I closed in on the 100th posting, my fabulous friend and fellow ladybadass Wendy McEwan called, “This project is hilarious and inspiring. I think more people need this. We need to keep this going.” While we are thousands of miles apart, we got on the phone and discussed how to take it global. The result: www.ladybadassery.com was born.

This brings me back to the original question. “How do you choose who to feature as a ladybadass?” Or better yet, how can you manifest your own inner ladybadassery?

A ladybadass is formidable, strong, fearless, and willing to push through real and perceived barriers. Characteristics that frequently are identified as masculine. The women are also kind, generous, inclusive and (come up with more words here). She embraces all that is a woman. Using her feminine strength when the going gets tough, using her fearlessness to take substantial risks, she manifests the results she knows are best for all involved.

If you have a mind and desire to be a ladybadass, then these contradictory characteristics should resonate with you:

Are you strong AND gentle?

Are you bold AND cautious?

Are you harsh AND empathetic?

Are you unbreakable AND delicate?

Are you hard AND soft?

Are you fearless AND afraid?

Are you steadfast AND inclusive?

I have no doubt you could come up with more examples. I also have no doubt you are formidable, strong, and fearless balanced with your own personal type of femininity. It’s that balance that makes you great, makes you uniquely you. I also know, as a woman, I’ve sometimes only brought my so-called masculine traits to the workplace. I’ve succumbed to the pressures to conform and be “one of the boys.” That persona wasn’t awful; she just wasn’t outstanding. That woman made great things happen but wasn’t the BEST me. The BEST me is when I balance both aspects of myself when I let both the feminine and the masculine sides of me shine. That is the ladybadass me.

And I come back to Michelle Obama’s challenge: Do not give away your power. Own all that makes you the best you.

So now I challenge you: figure out what balanced characteristics make up your inner ladybadass. Because knowing yourself is just the first step.

Joanna Bloor is a people accelerator, futurist/technology nerd, belief agent for brave and curious women, and founder of The Amplify Lab. She believes that if every decision made about you and your opportunities are made in a room you’re not in then you should have a plan. Because in your life there is no professional conversation more important. Learn more at JoannaBloor.com.

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