Empowered Women Begin as Empowered Little Girls

In my work as a coach, a recurring theme I see is women afraid to show up as their authentic selves.

And trust me, I can relate. From as early as I can remember, we’ve been bombarded with messages telling us to do more of this, be less of that, walk in a single file line, don’t raise our voices too loud, don’t be selfish, and God forbid we’re "bossy".

Layer that with unique family dynamics, societal norms, and professional pressures, and we find ourselves afraid to fully embrace who we truly are...because we’ve been told that who we are isn’t enough.

If you’re shy—you need to be more assertive.

If you’re assertive—you’re “too bossy.”

If your hair is too big—you need to tame it.

If you’re too loud—sit down and be quiet.

If you’re sensitive—“grow thick skin.”

We’ve been taught to shape-shift ourselves into a watered-down, more "acceptable" version of a woman...someone easier to digest, modeled after an ideal that doesn't exist. And then, somewhere along the way, we lose sight of who we really are.

But here’s the truth: your uniqueness is your strength. Those traits you were told to suppress? They’re often your superpowers.

What if we gave the next generation permission to embrace who they are instead of shrinking to fit someone else’s expectation?

What if, as adults, we stopped perpetuating the cycle and empowered young girls to be more of who they are? Imagine the confidence, creativity, and resilience we’d cultivate.

When I coach, one of my favorite moments is peeling back the layers to uncover who you were before the world told you who to be. We go back, not to stay there, but to reclaim the parts of yourself you left behind because someone said they weren’t “right.”

Let’s break the cycle. Let’s stop asking girls to dim their light and start giving them permission to shine.

Because an empowered little girl grows up to become an unstoppable woman.

The Role of Authenticity in Empowerment

Now, to me authenticity isn’t just a buzzword. Not only is it my #1 personal value, it’s the foundation of self-confidence and success. When we teach young girls to embrace their unique traits, we’re setting them up for lives filled with purpose and resilience.

By reclaiming the parts of ourselves we were told to suppress, we unlock our fullest potential. We discover that our loudness can be leadership, our sensitivity can be empathy, and our boldness can inspire and motivate others.

If, as adults, we model this unapologetic authenticity, we create a ripple effect that empowers future generations.

Resources to Explore

Want to dive deeper into fostering authenticity and empowerment? Here are some helpful tools and books:

• Books for Adults:

  • The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

  • Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

  • Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

• Books for Young Girls:

  • Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T. Parker

  • Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

  • The Confidence Code for Girls by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

• Podcasts:

  • Empowered to Shine - stay tuned for the first episode to drop!

  • Unlocking Us by Brené Brown

  • She’s Got Drive by Shirley McAlpine

Ready to Help the Next Generation Shine?

Empowering young girls to be more of who they are starts with us. When we reclaim our authentic selves, we give others the permission to do the same.

At RADI8 Coaching & Development, I specialize in helping women break free from the limitations placed on us and step fully into our unique strengths. Together, we’ll uncover the parts of yourself you’ve hidden and turn them into your superpowers.

Schedule your free discovery call today at RADI8Coaching.com, and let’s get to work.

Reflection Question: What part of yourself have you been hiding because someone told you it was “too much”? How can you begin to reclaim it this week?