Want to know how a humble upbringing in south Georgia can inspire lifelong ambitions? How does societal pressure and self-doubt stifle dreams and how can they be overcome? How did the Rodney King verdict protests shape a career in politics? Discover how ambition is not just about titles, but a drive sparked by personal experiences and injustices.

Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change

In a modest living room in South Georgia, Stacey Abrams sat next to Valerie, a proud mother in her late forties. Valerie's two children, David and Maya, have just graduated high school and are headed to college. David plans to study criminology, while Maya, an unwed teen mother, aims to become a middle school teacher. 

Despite the challenges ahead, Valerie is determined that her children achieve the degrees she never received. When Stacey asks Valerie about her own dreams, she hesitates but eventually admits she wants to start a daycare for unwed mothers, like her daughter, to help them finish school and pursue their dreams.

Valerie's situation is not unique. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Gulfport, Mississippi, Stacey too understood the tension between survival and ambition. As kids, they dreamed of more while their parents focused on making ends meet. These dreams are the roots of ambition, often edited to fit our constructed identities. But becoming a leader means daring to want more and embracing ambition as our due.

During law school, a professor taught Stacey the importance of three questions: What is the problem? Why is it a problem? How do you solve it? These questions help navigate the overwhelming possibilities and focus on meaningful ambition.

Stacey's journey of ambition began in high school when she attended the Telluride Association Summer Program, surrounded by some of the smartest teenagers. Initially out of her depth, she learned to mimic their confidence and embrace her ambitions. This experience was pivotal, teaching her that ambition sharpens ambition, and dreams hone other dreams.

At Spelman College, a historically black institution, Stacey found a community that encouraged her to dream beyond stereotypes. Her ambitions crystallized, driven by a desire to serve communities affected by poverty and racism. She even created a spreadsheet mapping out her life goals, from writing a best-selling spy novel to becoming the mayor of Atlanta.

However, life taught Stacey that ambition should not be tied to a specific job title. Her ambitions evolved, and she realized that the why behind her goals was more important than the what. Understanding the roots of her dreams allowed her to pivot and pursue roles that aligned with her true desires.

For instance, during the Rodney King riots, Stacey organized her college peers to call TV stations and correct misleading narratives about black communities. This act of protest led to a job at the Mayor’s Office of Youth Services in Atlanta, where she saw firsthand how government could be a tool for change.

Stacey's ambitions have continued to evolve. She may not have become the mayor, but she aims to be a governor who leads a state to do more than just survive. Ambition means being proactive and willing to change course when necessary. It's about knowing what you want, why you want it, and taking immediate action to achieve it.

Can Embracing Your Ambitions Lead to Greater Success?

Imagine Stacey standing on a stage, urging a crowd to embrace fearlessness, to push past doubts and take bold actions. This is a familiar scene for many leaders, yet beneath the surface, fear remains a potent force. It digs deep, paralyzing and convincing them that success is beyond their reach. This fear often becomes ingrained in their behaviors from a young age, shaping their actions and expectations.

For minority leaders, this fear is amplified by the "stereotype threat" and the "authenticity conundrum." They worry that their failures will confirm negative stereotypes, while their successes might alienate them from their communities. This internal struggle is a significant barrier to asserting power and leadership in spaces of privilege.

Take, for instance, Stacey's high school years when her mother faced sexism in her ministry work. Despite her qualifications, she was excluded from the pulpit by male pastors. This exclusion taught Stacey early on about the systemic barriers that minority leaders face. Similarly, when she ran for governor, friends doubted Georgia was ready for a Black woman leader. Their skepticism shook her confidence, making her question her decade-long plan.

Marielena, a savvy Latina in finance, faced a similar struggle. She had a brilliant business idea but lacked the financial backing and feared asking for support. Her fear of rejection led her to abandon her startup dream, only to see her idea taken up by her company and led by a male colleague. This story illustrates how fear can stifle ambition and allow others to capitalize on their ideas.

However, fear can also be a catalyst for growth. Naming their fears and understanding their roots can help them overcome them. Minority leaders must acknowledge the layers of anxiety and stereotypes they face. For instance, Stacey's colleague Simone Bell, the first openly African American lesbian in a state legislature, used her unique identity to address both LGBTQ and racial issues, despite facing discomfort from her peers.

Leadership requires confronting fear and leveraging their differences. It's about being authentic yet aware of their surroundings. Whether it's through strategic debates in the legislature or finding new ways to connect with colleagues, they must navigate the complexities of otherness and use them to their advantage.

Ultimately, fighting fear and embracing their identities can lead to powerful, effective leadership. By understanding and harnessing their fears, they can break barriers and pave the way for future leaders.

Conquering Fear: A Guide to Effective Leadership for Minorities

In 2013, Georgia had a staggering eight hundred thousand unregistered people of color, a number equivalent to the population of South Dakota. Determined to make a change, Stacey decided to launch a nonprofit to register these eligible voters, hopefully shifting the state’s political balance. She enlisted Lauren Groh-Wargo, a campaign expert, to help execute their ambitious plan to register seventy-five thousand voters by 2024. 

Despite raising $3.5 million and submitting over eighty-six thousand applications in 2014, they faced immediate allegations of misconduct from the secretary of state. Ultimately, they proved their integrity and continued their efforts, registering over two hundred thousand voters so far.

Running this massive operation, hiring over seven hundred staffers, and facing relentless scrutiny was grueling. Critics even attacked Stacey's salary, though it was standard for the job. Despite these challenges, she wouldn’t change their work for anything. Opportunity isn't easy; it’s messy and painful but necessary for change.

Opportunity often comes with barriers, particularly for marginalized communities. The myth of self-made success is misleading, ignoring the systemic inequities that make such stories rare for people of color. Stacey's parents, for instance, despite their college degrees, struggled with economic instability. Her mother, a valedictorian who clawed her way through hardships, and her dyslexic father, who was dismissed as "stupid" in segregated Mississippi, both faced immense challenges but pushed through to earn their degrees.

Their story, along with others like Ida B. Wells and Bella Abzug, teaches us that opportunity must be actively sought and owned, not passively awaited. Stacey learned to hack the system, finding hidden pathways to success.

Access and entry are the first hurdles. Shiao, a Chinese American woman with degrees in economics and Spanish, aspired to work in international aid but struggled to find opportunities. She applied repeatedly with no success until she leveraged nontraditional routes, like networking with alumni and reaching out directly to organizations.

Similarly, in politics and tech, insider networks often dominate hiring. Groups like Run for Something and Lesbians Who Tech help break these barriers, providing unconventional points of access.

Once inside, the challenge is moving up. When Stacey ran for the Georgia House, she had to overcome her lack of political endorsements by leveraging her fundraising skills and hiring community members to build her campaign. Volunteering, like Brandon Evans did in a mayoral campaign, can also be a powerful way to gain visibility and move up.

Self-doubt is a significant barrier. We often downplay our achievements, mistaking humility for a lack of self-confidence. Real humility recognizes our accomplishments without belittling them. Support from others, like Angelica’s running group, can help us overcome this internal barrier.

Can Registering 800,000 Unregistered Voters Shift Georgia's Political Landscape?

At 29, Stacey became deputy city attorney for Atlanta, managing a team that resented her, especially since she took a job desired by a seasoned attorney. Her attempts to win them over only resulted in more hostility, compounded by her own missteps. 

One day, feeling defeated, Stacey went to Laurette Woods, the law department’s financial manager, for help. Laurette offered life-changing advice: “The head of the table is wherever you sit.” This shifted the power dynamics in Stacey's favor and marked the beginning of her leadership transformation.

Laurette’s guidance was invaluable; she taught Stacey leadership, employee management, and even how to handle terminations. Yet, Stacey hesitates to call her a mentor because our notions of mentorship are often too narrow. We seek out the C-suite executive or the successful person of color, unaware that mentorship can come from various sources.

There are different kinds of Mentors:
- Situational Mentors: Offer temporary, specific guidance. Shirley Franklin, Atlanta’s former mayor, taught Stacey about balancing administration with vision.
- Sponsors: Open doors and create opportunities. Sara, an editor, vouched for Raheem, a young journalist, helping him diversify his assignments.

- Advisers: Invested in your long-term success. Teresa Roseborough, a partner at Stacey's law firm, helped her navigate a tough performance review.
- Peer Mentors: Equally valuable, offering mutual support. Jess and Patrick, though competitors, shared salary information and strategies to advance in their careers.

Instead of one mentor, Stacey has had an array of advisers, friends, and alliances. Her business partner, Lara Hodgson, taught her entrepreneurial skills, while Dr. Johnnetta Cole, president of Spelman College, taught her fundraising and leadership through her example.

Be proactive in your mentorship relationships. Set up regular check-ins, ask for specific advice, and be clear about what you need. Tiffany, a young professional, regularly updates Stacey on her progress and seeks her insights on workplace challenges. This structured approach ensures mutual benefit.

Building real connections means offering help as well. Be the person others want to see succeed by being supportive and generous. This creates a network of allies ready to assist when you need it.

In 2017, Stacey received an honorary degree from Spelman, with Dr. Cole present. She reminded Stacey of her advice to stop complaining and take action, a push that led her to where she is. Her journey underscores that mentorship isn’t about finding one guide but building a village of support. Reflect on your network and identify who’s missing. Build and maintain these diverse relationships to navigate your career effectively.

Redefining Mentorship: Building a Village of Support for Career Advancement

Growing up, Stacey's great-aunt Jeanette religiously participated in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, believing each time that Ed McMahon would show up with a $5,000-a-week-for-life check. Despite her education, Jeanette never escaped the deprivation of her upbringing. Her hope mirrored the lyrics of Brandy Clark’s “Pray to Jesus,” which captures the stark options for economic escape: divine intervention or winning the lottery.

In Mississippi, where Stacey grew up, school zoning was a map of economic disparity. Her parents moved them to a poor street in a middle-class area to ensure they attended a better school, emphasizing the vital link between education and economic success. Despite being valedictorian, Stacey struggled to fund her college education, burdened with loans and unaware of the financial missteps that would haunt her.

Post-college, Stacey's financial ignorance continued. Though she secured a high-paying job, she was trapped by poor credit and student loans. She learned the hard way about the consequences of deferred debts and the high cost of ignorance. Her financial wake-up call came when she had to clear her debts to sit for the Georgia bar exam, using her law firm signing bonus to pay off exorbitant interest rates.

Financial literacy is crucial. Without it, money becomes an impenetrable barrier, affecting one's ability to run for office, start businesses, or even switch jobs. The systemic biases against women and people of color exacerbate these challenges, from redlining in lending to persistent wage gaps.

To overcome these obstacles, personal financial management is key. Learning to budget, avoid unnecessary debt, and understand the difference between income and wealth is important. Side hustles can help pay off debt, and volunteering for financial roles in local organizations can boost financial fluency.

Institutional knowledge about finances also opens doors. As a freshman at Spelman College, Stacey crashed a board of trustees meeting and learned to read financial statements, thanks to the mentorship of board members. This knowledge was invaluable, later landing her on powerful committees like the Ways and Means Committee in the legislature.

Raising money, whether for a business or a campaign, is daunting but essential. Teaming up with partners who bring diverse networks and being specific about your needs is beneficial. Researching potential investors and preparing thoroughly for a pitch is necessary. Remember, don't undervalue your ask out of fear.

Finally, embracing financial independence is transformative, allowing one to take risks and achieve goals. Understanding that money is complex and mistakes are inevitable, but they are also opportunities to learn and grow. Control your finances, and you'll control your destiny.

Can Financial Literacy Be Your Key to Economic Success?

Life’s journey often involves a blend of ambition, failure, and the courage to try again. Stacey's dream of becoming a fabulous singer was tested during an audition for the Yale Law Glee Club. Despite her dreams and basic talent, her lack of preparation led to a humiliating failure. This experience taught Stacey a crucial lesson: preparation is key, and failure should be embraced and learned from.

In tenth grade, Stacey went on a two-week silence strike in AP English after her teacher criticized her advanced vocabulary and reading choices. Her parents stood by her, emphasizing that school was for learning to think, not being told what to think. This experience underscored the importance of letting one’s light shine, despite societal pressures to conform.

Boldness and risk-taking are essential for progress. Jocelyn, an administrative assistant with a knack for spotting errors, was discouraged from advancing to a paralegal position. She heeded this advice, staying in her role for years, a testament to how meekness and self-doubt can hinder growth. In contrast, Sam Park, a former intern, ran for state legislature against significant odds and won, showcasing the power of preparation and boldness.

Stacey's career pivot came when she was offered a leadership role in the city law department. Despite her initial hesitations, embracing boldness led to a rewarding and impactful career shift. Similarly, negotiating the HOPE Scholarship with Republicans, despite backlash from her party, was a bold move that resulted in preserving vital educational funding.

Failures can pave the way to success. Stacey's business venture, Nourish, faced closure due to financial constraints. However, this failure led to the creation of NOW Corp., a successful financial technology company. Failure, when embraced, can be a map to success.

Admitting mistakes is a critical leadership skill. As a tax attorney, Stacey once made a significant error in a memo. Owning up to her mistake, despite the fear of losing her job, reinforced the importance of integrity. Leaders must also be willing to admit ignorance and seek knowledge, as demonstrated by former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin’s confident admission of not knowing an answer.

Life’s journey is marked by risks, failures, and the courage to try again. Success comes from letting your light shine, embracing failure, and being bold enough to admit when you’re wrong.

Embracing Failures and Boldness: Lessons from a Journey towards Success

Rebecca, a patient advocate, was hesitant to lead a team applying for a $100,000 funding opportunity, doubting her ability to compete against larger organizations. However, by leveraging her strong relationships with patients for community endorsements, she amassed a thousand testimonials and won the prize. Her success exemplifies how limited resources can foster creativity and resourcefulness.

In a similar vein, during Stacey's third year in the Georgia legislature, the Republican majority aimed to push through potentially harmful legislation on “Crossover Day.” Knowing they were outnumbered, her friend Brian Thomas and Stacey formed the “Strike Team.” They used the House rules to their advantage, questioning each bill presented, which caused significant delays and forced the drop of some controversial bills. This demonstrated that understanding the rules and exploiting available resources can disrupt power dynamics.

Power is not always about traditional resources but about creativity and understanding the situation. For example, Ashley Robinson, initially a field operative, used her position to identify valuable voter patterns, leading to her eventual role as Stacey's chief of staff. Similarly, Sara Blakely transformed a pair of pantyhose into the multimillion-dollar Spanx brand, despite initial rejections from major stores.

Sometimes, power means being prepared for the long haul. Fannie Lou Hamer’s defiance in 1964 led to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's recognition in 1968. Wendy Davis’s 2014 filibuster against restrictive reproductive legislation, although eventually overturned, raised significant awareness.

Understanding power also involves recognizing the difference between position and authority. Titles matter, but they do not always reflect true influence. For example, in Stacey's business ventures with Lara, although she often took a lesser billing, her expertise in public finance and innovative thinking established her authority and influence.

Power mapping is a strategic tool to identify who can help or hinder your goals. It involves recognizing key decision-makers and leveraging relationships to achieve objectives. This approach, combined with a deep understanding of personal beliefs and flexibility in strategy, can help navigate the path to power.

In essence, acquiring power requires leveraging what you have, manipulating rules, and recognizing the potential in overlooked resources. The journey may be long and fraught with challenges, but with creativity and determination, extraordinary results are achievable.

Can Leveraging Limited Resources Disrupt Power Dynamics and Lead to Success?

Forget the mythical "work-life balance." It's akin to chasing a unicorn—impossible and frustrating. Instead, Stacey thinks of life as a game of "Work-Life Jenga." She pictures stacking blocks to build a tower, then carefully removing and restacking them, trying to keep everything from toppling over.

Take her parents, for example. After Hurricane Katrina devastated their home and church, they didn't just rebuild; they also took in their granddaughter Faith when Stacey's brother and his girlfriend relapsed. Amidst the chaos, they managed to support their community and each other, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

Stacey's own life mirrored this chaos in 2006. While starting her political career, she helped bring a WNBA team to Atlanta with her friends Lisa and Lara. Balancing these projects meant constant maneuvering, but they kept the tower upright.

The secret? Prioritization. Former President Dwight Eisenhower’s matrix of "urgent vs. important" is a lifesaver. It teaches one to focus on what truly matters and delegate the rest. Stacey and her business partner Lara even had a rule: "Don't deal with jerks." This meant walking away from toxic clients and projects, even if it cost them financially.

Self-care is another essential piece of the puzzle. Stacey's sister Leslie, a federal judge, schedules her time off with the same precision as her court cases. Meanwhile, Stacey has learned to carve out moments for meditation and relaxation, even if vacations are rare.

Leadership is about taking power, not just in big, headline-grabbing ways, but in small, everyday decisions. It’s about challenging oneself, embracing discomfort, and being an ally to others. When Stacey publicly admitted her aspiration to be President, the backlash was immediate. But allies like Karen Finney and EMILY’s List rallied to her defense, proving the importance of a supportive community.

In essence, life isn’t about perfect balance; it's a strategic game. Prioritize what matters, avoid toxic influences, and take care of oneself. Most importantly, lead with purpose and build a supportive network. With these strategies, Stacey believes one can keep their tower standing, no matter how wobbly it gets.

Mastering the Game of Work-Life Jenga: Lessons in Leadership, Prioritization, and Resilience

Growing up in challenging environments often stirs deep-rooted ambitions, though they can be easily stifled by societal expectations and self-doubt. Ambition thrives when tested against greater challenges, as Stacey learned during transformative educational experiences. Ambition isn't just about titles but driven by personal experiences and injustices, requiring clarity of purpose and daring to push beyond societal limits.

Fear is a potent barrier, especially for minority leaders dealing with stereotype threats and authenticity conundrums. Overcoming fear involves acknowledging and leveraging our unique identities to assert power and leadership. This journey involves embracing boldness, taking risks, and learning from failures, all while being authentic and strategic.

Owning opportunities means hacking systemic barriers, often starting with gaining access through unconventional routes and then moving up by leveraging skills and networks. Self-doubt is another significant barrier, but with support and by recognizing our achievements, we can overcome it. True success involves continually working to create opportunities not just for ourselves but for others as well.

Mentorship is crucial yet often misunderstood. Building a diverse network of situational mentors, sponsors, advisers, and peer mentors is more effective than seeking a single guide. Proactively managing these relationships and offering reciprocal support can significantly aid personal and professional growth.

Financial literacy is vital for controlling one's destiny. Understanding and managing personal finances can open doors to opportunities, whether running for office or starting a business. Embracing financial independence allows for taking risks and achieving goals despite systemic biases.

Preparation and resilience are key to success. Embracing failure and learning from it, along with taking bold risks, can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Recognizing the power in limited resources and creatively leveraging them can disrupt power dynamics and achieve extraordinary results.

Lastly, forget about the mythical work-life balance. Instead, think of life as a strategic game of prioritization. Focus on what truly matters, avoid toxic influences, and take care of yourself. Lead with purpose, build a supportive network, and navigate life's challenges with strategic moves to keep your tower standing.

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Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change

Stacey Abrams

9 Key ideas

24 MINS

4.8 (699)

Want to know how a humble upbringing in south Georgia can inspire lifelong ambitions?

How does societal pressure and self-doubt stifle dreams and how can they be overcome?

How did the Rodney King verdict protests shape a career in politics?

Discover how ambition is not just about titles, but a drive sparked by personal experiences and injustices.

Key Ideas

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