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Let Go to Move Forward

Riyadh. Jeddah. Damman. Does the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seem like a hot spot for women-in-business workshops?

Nicole Dominique Le Maire believes they are. She’s off to Saudi Arabia soon to facilitate “Be Your Own Boss” sessions for women.

Like so many other women fleeing corporate cultures, Nicole let go of the relative (she says “boring”) comfort of the corporate world to start her own business, Human Resources Global . Within just two years, Nicole has gained a reputation as a highly valued leader within the human resources industry, a natural and intuitive people-connector.

Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Nicole is no stranger to taking courageous chances. To date, she’s lived and worked in over 34 countries, including spending time as an exchange student in a tiny town within my U.S. home state, Nebraska.

And, her dyslexia doesn’t stop her.

In 2014, Nicole says she felt more fearless than ever before when she co-authored The Female Leader: Empowerment, Confidence & Passion .

The Female Leader brings together 33 strategies that international women coaches, consultants, and leaders advocate we adopt to become exceptional leaders. Nicole’s busy building a business around the book, exclusively supporting other women’s success in today’s competitive business and entrepreneurial arenas.

But despite experiencing more fearlessness—and success—last year, Nicole noticed that in conversations she’s been staying in the ‘too-humble-zone’. Today, this Fearless Female shares what she’s letting go of, and what other women may want to let go of too.

Fearless Females Forum:  5Cs with Nicole Dominique Le Maire

“I have to let go and trust my team to take the lead.”

1. What’s the most courageous decision you’ve made?

My courageous decision was to leave the corporate world, a decision that many of my colleagues and network did not understand. I had become very bored with work in general. I watched this happen to other high achievers, people with ambition (especially women) leaving the corporate workforce. In a way companies are not taking the role of intrapreneurial women in the corporate industry serious which always kills the spirit of true innovation.

2. What choices are most important to you?

For me, every choice we make in life is important, because our choices determine our outcomes! It is about making a conscious effort to make the right choices that will steer your desired outcomes.

In my business, I have made the decision to be professional, proficient and to uphold a high standard of professional integrity. Whenever I am presented with situations that might steer me away from my ethos, or challenge my core values, I have to evaluate my choices carefully and find equilibrium.

These choices can be hard to make at times, but it’s usually those choices that deliver the best outcomes.

3. What fears have you conquered?

It can be easy to want to be in control of everything around you. However, in order to fulfill my desire to travel and expand the horizons of my business, I have to let go and trust my team to take the lead. I’ve been blessed with a fantastic team, and they have shown me time and again that I can trust them, so I’m looking forward to doing a lot more business traveling in this coming year.

4. What conversation made the most impact on you?

Many conversations leave an impact on my life every day, but I’d say that the most significant one I had this past year really touched me to the core and helped me re-evaluate my beliefs about myself and life in general.

I was talking to an advisory board member amazed at what I have so far achieved in less than two years, but this is not the only conversation I have had with people sharing similar comments. All these chats sometime make me wonder if females are really fearless?

The first thing I do (and many around me) is be humble, ‘ really?! ’, ‘ gosh ’ or ‘you think so’ – Why?…

Thinking back at these conversations, I have now started answering back – ‘I know, team and business are really doing well’ ! A totally different approach and one more suited to a fearless female.

5. What do you want women to get clear about?

What I often notice in conversation with females in business is that they are holding on to how things used to be. Sure, in many countries, women still don’t have the freedoms that men do. However, for the most part, women are becoming fearless female leaders and succeeding tremendously. It is time to get our heads around the future and to embrace the opportunities that are available to us, instead of holding onto past fears.

Are you holding onto anything you need to let go of?

Take a page from Nicole, a woman entrepreneur and a global people connector who considers herself part of the “new people industry” which goes beyond human resources: Let go to move forward.

To learn more about Nicole, you’ll find her at The Female Leader and Human Resources Global . She welcomes you to get in touch via Nicole@incourageleading.com.

Fearless Females Forum is a monthly showcase for inspiring women who found the courage to meet their calling, solve a problem, or take a road less travelled. Are you a Fearless Female ready to have the spotlight shine on you? Calling All Fearless Females tells you how to share your story.

Cheers to Nicole and to all you #FearlessFemales out there! When will you step into the spotlight?