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What’s holding you back from speaking up and letting your authentic self show up at work?
Where are you keeping yourself on “mute” and what is that costing you?
I had the pleasure of speaking with the inspiring Rachel Druckenmiller, a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and the creative mind behind the concept of Unmuted.
Rachel’s story of unmuting her authentic self—evolving from an unfulfilling corporate career to a full-time speaker who integrates singing into her keynotes—was full of transformational insights. She has dedicated her career to helping others find their voices and thrive, free from the constraints of silence and self-doubt.
Her powerful approach challenges leaders to embrace their full potential and encourage their teams to do the same. Rachel’s insights aren’t just motivational—they’re actionable steps anyone can take to unlock magic in their work and personal lives.
Unmute Yourself
Rachel encourages individuals to unmute themselves—express oneself courageously and boldly without fear.
Too many of us self-silence and hold ourselves back. It’s like we’re living our lives on mute, and this self-sabotage is costing us a lot more than we realize.
She believes “by tapping into the power of curiosity, we can find the clarity we need to get unstuck and move forward in our lives and at work with greater confidence and courage. The result? Greater fulfillment, impact, and alignment personally and professionally and a brave, bold UNMUTED life that makes us feel energized, inspired, and alive.”
- Action Step: Take some time to reflect on how you’re silencing yourself and how you can start unmuting. Perhaps even make a playlist of songs that inspire confidence and break it out when you need a pep talk. Music has a unique way of resonating with our emotions and bringing out our true essence.
Activate Your Assets
Rachel shared her three-part framework to thrive in leadership: Activate Your Assets, Advocate for Yourself, and Accept Invitations.
- Activate Your Assets: Leaders can uncover hidden strengths within their team by asking open-ended questions.
- Advocate for Yourself: Prioritize personal well-being to prevent burnout and advocate for changes without fear.
- Accept Invitations: The fact that someone asks you is an indication that somebody thinks you’re qualified. Accept the invitation and don’t discount yourself.
- Action Step: Identify your top three strengths. Reflect on how you can leverage these assets more effectively at work. Share your ideas with a mentor or coach to get feedback on how to integrate these strengths into your role.
Say Yes to Opportunities
Rachel’s journey began with a single yes that changed everything.
She accepted an invitation to speak at a conference, which led to positively representing her company and shining a light on impactful initiatives. Rachel realized an undiscovered passion when she took the stage. This experience was a springboard to her current successful career as a speaker.
- Action Step: Next time an opportunity comes your way—whether it’s a chance to lead a project, speak at an event, or learn a new skill—take a moment to breathe deeply and say yes. Trust that your future self will figure out the logistics. Embracing opportunities, you’d typically shy away from can open doors you never imagined.
These changes aren’t about quick fixes but about in-depth work that can profoundly affect both personal and professional growth.
Rachel also shares…
- The significant costs for companies when high-performing employees leave from unaddressed issues.
- The therapeutic journey of admitting personal struggles as a first step towards change.
- How open communication about challenges can lead to a significant improvement in work and personal well-being.