Showing Up Is the First Step to Leadership

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” – Brené Brown

Showing up is hard.

It’s easy to look at people who seem confident and assume they were always that way—like they were born fearless, effortlessly stepping into new spaces, owning every room they walk into. But the truth? No one starts that way. Confidence isn’t something you have before you do the thing. It’s something you build by doing the thing.

I know this because I’ve spent a lifetime showing up—sometimes awkwardly, sometimes reluctantly, but always showing up.

Once, I showed up at a new gym in LA, eager to start a workout class. I marched up to the entrance, pulled on the door, and—nothing. Locked. An entire class full of people turned to look as I yanked again, determined. A second later, someone kindly walked out of the actual entrance and waved me in. They reassured me, “Oh, that happens all the time.” But let me tell you—I belonged to that gym for four years, and not once did I see anyone else make that mistake.

Still, I showed up again the next day.

I’ve shown up to new pickleball courts where I didn’t know a soul, hoping someone would invite me into a game. I’ve shown up for a nighttime race at Paramount Ranch because my friend said it would be “fun” (we were dressed like clowns, in the dark, with one flashlight—jury’s still out on fun). I’ve shown up to job interviews I wasn’t sure I was qualified for, but I got the job. I showed up to a lot of Tinder dates—including the one where I met my husband.

I show up for people in my life who need a ride to the airport, a baked treat because they miss their mom, or just someone to sit beside them when things feel heavy. I show up as myself, all the time. Because when you make a habit of showing up, something incredible happens: people know what to expect from you. They trust you. They see you for who you really are.

And showing up? That’s leadership.

Why Showing Up Matters

It’s tempting to wait until we feel ready—until we feel sure we won’t mess up or look foolish. But the secret is, no one ever really feels ready. The people who succeed, who lead, who inspire? They’re just the ones who show up anyway.

Showing up is the first step toward:
✔ Building confidence – You don’t have to be the best. You just have to be present.
✔ Creating opportunities – You can’t win the game if you never step on the court.
✔ Earning trust – People remember the ones who show up when it matters.
✔ Becoming a leader – Leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being there, consistently.

If you’re waiting for the perfect moment to start something, stop waiting. Just show up.

Show up to the gym, even if you pull on the wrong door.
Show up to the game, even if you don’t know anyone.
Show up to the interview, even if you feel unqualified.
Show up for your people, because they need you.

And most importantly? Show up as yourself.

Because the world needs more of that.

#ShowUp #DareToLead #TheGRLInitiative