The Boldest Move I Made This Year— And What It Taught Me About Leadership
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
By Amanda Duff
Leadership Coach & Fractional HR Director
If I had to sum up this year, I’d call it a season of big decisions, big growth, and a lot of perspective. I welcomed my second baby, my oldest turned three, I built a business from the ground up, and I was just recently honored as a Business Woman of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal. It has been a demanding year, but it has also clarified exactly who I am as a leader and the kind of work I’m meant to be doing.
The Boldest Move of My Year
The boldest decision I made was building my business to intentionally focus on leadership development and build a scalable membership model. On paper, it probably looked like an odd time to pivot - I had two young kids (including a newborn!), a brand-new business, and consulting work that could have kept me comfortably busy on its own.
But I kept seeing the same pattern: smart, capable people stepping into leadership roles without the tools, support, or clarity they needed. Managers were overwhelmed. Senior leaders were burning out. Organizations wanted stronger leadership pipelines but didn’t know how to build them. And I knew I could create something that addressed that gap.
Building a resource vault, coaching community, and ongoing leadership development platform was a risk. It required time, investment, and a willingness to take the long view. But the mission mattered more than the comfort. I wanted to build something sustainable, accessible, and practical.. something leaders could lean on before they hit a breaking point.
That decision stretched me more than any corporate role or complex project I’ve worked on. But it also anchored me. It reminded me why I do this work: to give leaders real tools, early and consistently, so they can lead with confidence instead of survival mode.
How I Handle Fear in High-Stakes Decisions
Fear shows up for me every time I’m on the edge of growth. At this point, it’s almost a marker that I’m moving in the right direction.
When I’m facing a big decision, I slow down long enough to get honest about the source of the fear. Is it an actual risk? Or is it discomfort because I’m stepping into a bigger version of myself? Once I can see the difference, I run the decision through my personal framework:
Does it align with my values: courage, integrity, curiosity?
Does it serve the leaders and organizations I’m committed to supporting?
And does the best-case outcome outweigh the worst-case fear?
If the answers point me toward action, I take the leap.Not because I’m fearless, but because I’m committed to choosing courage over comfort. And truly, the decisions that scared me the most have ended up shaping me the most.
My Leadership Principle for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, my guiding principle is simple: Lead with clarity.
Clarity is what moves teams forward. It reduces overwhelm, sets expectations, and builds trust, especially in fast-moving or uncertain environments. I’ve seen firsthand that leaders who communicate clearly and consistently are the ones who retain talent, strengthen culture, and actually get results.
After a year of building, growing, and navigating change in every direction, clarity is what kept everything steady. And it’s the skill I believe will matter most for leaders in the year ahead.
Connect With Amanda
Instagram: @nowwhathr
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