Adjectives

Intimidating is not a word I would have used to describe myself.

But there I was sitting around a table at a Board meeting right next to one of the leaders in the organization. She looked at me and said I was intimidating.

I had no idea how to take what she said, I questioned her choice of words. She informed me that sometimes I was hard to read and a little bit scary. She thought it took people a while to get to know me and understand my humor and where I was coming from. Here was a leader in an organization that I love telling me this and I had no idea what to do with this information.

I wrestled with this term for months.

I never wanted to intimidate people.
I never wanted people to find me scary.

Then I realized it was a compliment. I use that word often to describe myself to others now. People can't make you feel differently about yourself unless you give them the power. I now own that power and think it is a good thing that people find my opinions intimidating, it means I have earned their respect.

I own the word now.

I am not ashamed that I know how to work a room.
I am not ashamed if you sometimes feel like I am judging you.

Thank you to that fabulous women who in her off handed comment made me realize how much I love what I do and that I am good at it.