For awhile now I've been reflecting on change and progress, the idea of leadership and how that translates to an introvert like myself. Until recently I thought leadership was innate, you either have it or you don't, pretty basic. I also assumed that leaders weren't introverted, and one precluded the other. I guess, as I look back on 2014, I will remember this year as one that demystified my stiff assumptions on character and personality. Why is it important to work on these traits anyway, it's certainly a lot easier to embrace what you've methodically created over the years? I feel that there is something more to me than where I currently am, more of value than what I currently give and more joy than what I currently enjoy. To move forward I need to move into this uncomfortable zone and find skills that I never knew I had, muscles that have never been flexed (that won't be hard to find, ha!) I thought I would share some sites that have inspired me this year to be more intentional about my choices and have offered tools for growth....

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, authors of the Confidence Gap and Womenomics, share incredible insights on their blog. Try the confidence code assessment, which is a quick quiz to assess what your current state is and tools to encourage improvement.
Jess Lively lists a variety of resources on her blog that have ultimately shaped her Life with Intention and Business with Intention philosophy and e-courses. Her podcasts are consistently timely and illuminating, spanning a wide variety of guests who are willing to share very personal and frank journeys.
Nubby Twiglet always has fresh advice, as well as beautiful choreographed photos, although she comes clean in the post "The Comparison Trap : Your Real Life Isn't A Highlight Reel"
The was the first post I read on Grease & Glamour and since then I've been hooked!
Marie Forlio. I can't really describe what Marie is, a business/life coach, entrepreneur advocate and development trainer - you might as well just read her bio here. Anyway, she's a catalyst for progress and her website and videos are chock full of wisdom and fun.
Last, but certainly not least, is Susan Cain, the author of Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. Her TED talk gave me goose bumps, as I saw so much of myself in what she was describing and advocating towards. There are some great ideas shared in this talk, but the one that resonated with me the most was that an introvert needs to reframe their quiet to realize it's connected to the powers you value in yourself. Based on her TED talk popularity as well as the best selling book, Susan is launching the Quiet Revolution where introverts can form an online community sharing cutting edge content and resources. I'm really looking forward to seeing how that unfolds in 2015....