International Women's Day Edition
I've been thinking a lot about success lately. Not just the kind you see on résumés or balance sheets, but the deeper kind that fuels everything else.
And I've realized something important:
👉 Behind every successful woman stands a circle of other women who have her back.
The Challenge We All Face
Being a leader is isolating. Whether you're running a retail construction project, managing a household, or building a company, the weight of responsibility can be crushing.
We put on our game faces:
- The confident executive who never doubts
- The perfect mom who has it all together
- The flawless friend who's always the rock
But maintaining these facades is exhausting. And dangerous.
When we can't be vulnerable, we can't grow. When we can't admit weakness, we can't build strength. When we can't ask for help, we stumble alone.
Why This Circle Matters
Without honest relationships, we risk:
- Making decisions in echo chambers
- Missing blind spots in our thinking
- Burning out from maintaining appearances
- Losing touch with what really matters
The most successful leaders aren't lone wolves. They're deeply connected to people who keep them grounded and push them forward.
What Doesn't Work
Many of us try to build our support systems in the wrong places:
- Colleagues who tell us what we want to hear
- Social media connections who only see our highlight reel
- Professional networks focused solely on transactions
- Mentors who never evolve into genuine friends
These relationships provide value, but they're not enough. They don't create the safe space needed for true vulnerability and growth.
The Solution: Building Your Circle of Truth-Tellers
I've been extraordinarily blessed with women in my life who lift me up. Not by mindless cheerleading, but through brutal honesty wrapped in unconditional acceptance.
These are the women I call "the family I've chosen." They're the cornerstone of everything I achieve.
Here's what makes these relationships transformative:
1. Complete Authenticity
With these women, I don't have to be badass every minute. I can cry, doubt myself, or fall apart completely. They hold space for all of me – not just the polished professional version.
2. Unwavering Honesty
These friends will tell me when I've lost perspective. They'll say, "Just go shower already" when I've been working non-stop. Their feedback lands differently because I know it comes from love, not judgment.
3. Genuine Celebration
When these women compliment me, I believe them. Their praise carries weight because they've earned the right to criticize. They celebrate my wins as their own, without competition or agenda.
4. Consistent Growth
These relationships push me to become better. They ask tough questions about my decisions, my priorities, and my blind spots. They see potential in me that I sometimes miss myself.
How You Can Build Your Circle
Cultivating these relationships doesn't happen overnight, but these steps will start you on the right path:
1. Seek authenticity over perfection in your friendships.
2. Practice vulnerability – it's contagious in the best possible way.
3. Value the friends who tell you hard truths.
4. Reciprocate completely – be the friend you want to have.
The success of KRC isn't just about my professional capabilities. It's built on the foundation of these remarkable women who keep me human, honest, and whole.
This International Women's Day, I'm celebrating the women who make my success possible by making me possible.
Who are the women in your circle who tell you the truth? Have you thanked them lately?
With gratitude,
Michele
KRCrossing Consulting
P.S. Next time, Rich explores how a Maine retailer turned sustainability into a unique retail experience. You won't want to miss this transformation story!