My Story
As a young child, I was rather shy and introverted. I spent hours curled up reading in our living room cabinets, and lost entire Saturdays engaged in art projects. I was also a super-fan of “The Wizard of Oz”; particularly, Dorothy. When our elementary school announced The Wizard of Oz as our annual school play, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. This was my chance to BE Dorothy! But instead of trying out for the starring role, I raised my hand to be… a Munchkin. My overwhelming fear – of standing out, of not doing it perfectly, of being judged – kept me from seizing my childhood dream. Yearbook photos show a disappointed little girl who wanted to be Dorothy, but was lost in a sea of munchkins. I resolved never to let my introversion keep me from my dreams, or to get lost in the crowd again.
30 years later after leaving Munchkinland, I’ve been a spokesperson for multiple national organizations, given dozens of speeches to audiences of 1,000+, and broadcasted on local and network television. People are often shocked to learn that I’m an introvert. They tell me, “You’re so enthusiastic, outgoing and confident. There’s no way!” I promise you, I was not born this way. It took me decades to master this level of comfort and clarity in my communication, and it only happened once I embraced my natural introverted tendencies: deep thinking, intimate connection with others, thoughtful analysis, and an empathic heart. Contrary to what our loud, fast-paced culture may make you feel, introversion is a tremendous asset for powerful communication. Those who speak the loudest and the longest often don’t have much to say. Those who think critically about their audience and their message (introverts!) are often the most powerful speakers and leaders in the room.
At crowded parties, I’m still known to disappear into the bathroom to escape from the noise. I still relish hours of alone time to reflect and read. But I never let my introversion get in the way of being seen and heard when it matters; professionally or personally. My mission is to help others harness their unique gifts to become the most impactful communicators possible, and gain the recognition they deserve. There’s nothing wrong with being a Munchkin. But if your heart really wants to be Dorothy – to stand out among the crowd – I will gladly be your Glenda and show you the way.