In this episode of Fraud to Fearless, Hayden and Brooke kick off a leadership mini-series by redefining what it actually means to be a leader...especially when you don’t feel ready.

Leadership isn’t about titles, authority, or having all the answers. It’s about ownership, confidence built through action, and how others experience you. Through personal stories, workplace examples, entrepreneurship lessons, and historical inspiration, this conversation challenges traditional leadership narratives and invites you to step into leadership sooner than you think.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating growth in your career, this episode lays the foundation for becoming a confident, people-centered leader, even in moments of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a mindset, not a title, you don’t have to wait to be “ready”
• Confidence is built through action, not perfection
• Great leaders take ownership of both success and failure
• Leadership is defined by how others experience you, not your intentions
• Being a leader means stewarding the experience of your team
• Strong leaders adjust their style based on the situation and people
• Difficult conversations are a core leadership skill, not something to avoid
• You can lead from anywhere: work, relationships, community, or family
• The most impactful leaders often step up before they feel qualified