Diana Kearns’ Post

Last Monday, I was on set – photo shoot and interview with a leading UK national newspaper's women's magazine! We got into various aspects of life – politics, parenthood, love, and the relentless drive of a career. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds in print. This got me reflecting this morning on being a woman, the transformative journey of motherhood. The challenges of being an immigrant, of finding your footing in a new land, carving your space, and making a difference. And then, the elephant in the room - experience of being a Black woman in a society where your very essence can be seen as "less than" and you're expected to reduce yourself to be accepted. "You are too confident." This experience, for so many of us, becomes a recurring theme. We navigate careers, shifting from familiar paths to pursue passions, leveraging skills, all while facing the constant need to prove ourselves, to start anew. It's a battle for a seat at the table, not because of a lack of merit, but because a predefined narrative deems us "unworthy." This could be a recipe for surrender. But every single day, millions of women, immigrants, and minorities rise. We face the world with unshakable positivity, even when it feels like "enough". Yet, there times when our unique attributes become the key, the only key. That's why, every morning, I defy the world's expectations. I choose to give my all, knowing that some doors can only be unlocked by the very essence that sets me apart. I am more than enough, and will let nothing else define me or my path. I will not bring myself down to be accepted. I deserve a seat at any table worthy of my skills. #leadingwomen #Mondayreflection #Thriving #Pressday #Reflections

Breaking Barriers: First in the Family! Being the first woman in my family to pursue a master’s degree is both an honor and a challenge. It’s not just about education; it’s about breaking traditions — like when I choose humanities while all the boys before me pursued commerce. Society often sets expectations for women, encouraging them to follow paths that are pre-defined even though we are fully capable of creating our own. From being the first to go to university to getting a job, earning my own money, and deciding how to spend it, every "first" has been a milestone of empowerment—but also a weight of immense pressure. Society wants women to be independent yet also expects them to be perfect homemakers, dutiful daughters, and flawless partners. The expectations often feel contradictory, pushing us to excel at everything without losing our grace or composure. But the truth is, it’s exhausting. Being a first-generation daughter balancing education, career, family responsibilities, and societal expectations is an uphill battle. At home, we fight for the freedom to grow, while outside, we fight to make our mark. This relentless pursuit of an idealized 'best version' can be incredibly taxing, yet it's rarely discussed openly and honestly. This pressure to be perfect has often made me highly self-critical. There are days when nothing makes sense unless it looks like the perfect picture I have in my mind. But I want to remind every woman who, like me, gets tired of being the strong, independent one—it’s okay. It’s okay if some days you don’t want to feel strong, if some days you don’t want to put up a fight, if some days you choose to embrace your vulnerabilities and just sit with them. People expect us to do everything without anger, without failure, and without exhaustion. But we are exhausted. We are angry. And sometimes we are ungraceful—and that’s okay. It’s time we acknowledge that we’re humans, and it’s perfectly fine to not have it all together all the time. Here’s to all the firsts and to every woman breaking the mold in her own way. 💪 PS : An old picture from my convocation day! 😊 #womenineducation #firstinthefamily #breakingbarriers #womenempowerment #breakingtraditions #embraceyourself

One of the most valuable skills to build, especially for women, is the ability to keep advocating for yourself, even after hearing “no.” At a recent training I led, a participant had a moment of insight around this. She realized that hearing “no” made her uncomfortable, and her instinct was to immediately stop asking for what she needed. Together, we reframed “no” as a moment to notice that discomfort and her existing patterns, rather than let it dictate her next actions. It became an opportunity to practice self-advocacy, not a reason to stop. In moments like these, it’s essential to remind ourselves that self-advocacy is a skill that grows with practice. Every “no” can become a stepping stone toward greater confidence and clarity about our needs. The next time you hear “no” and feel uncomfortable, pause, reflect, and remind yourself: 'This is a chance to practice standing up for myself.' You’ll notice that each time, it becomes a little easier—until it becomes a habit. #resilience #emotionalintelligence #growthmindset

"Black women earn 63 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men." We have always worked twice as hard as men, only to earn less. And not just less money. Less respect. Less career advancement. Over time, this can negatively impact our self-confidence, which can, in turn, negatively affect relationships with our peers and how we show up in the workplace. This #WomensHistoryMonth, let's stand up and say NO MORE. It's time to do what we can to bring our professional A-game and finally get the equity we deserve. To make it happen, join me for The Being Conference, Friday, April 26, to Sunday, April 28, 2024. For two full days, I'll personally show you how to boost your self-confidence, Emotional Intelligence, and Executive Presence - the three things that will give you a definite edge over your counterparts. It's time to get more. Come to The Being Conference to flip those stats and get you on the road to your goals.  Click the link to secure your spot today. ➡ https://lnkd.in/d_et68JV #BeingBrownAtWork #LeadershipMindset #CareerGoals #CareerAdvice #CareerChange #CareerSuccess #Career #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching #CareerPlanning #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalWomen

Claiming Your Visibility As I reflect on my journey as a woman wanting to express myself fully - being recognised for my gifts and rewarded beyond my wildest dreams - I think of the hundreds of coaching sessions I've held with women from diverse backgrounds. A distinct theme has emerged: we all long for visibility. We want to be seen and celebrated for our authenticity and the unique contributions we bring forth. This desire extends beyond our work into our relationships and sexuality. Yet, this remains an unfulfilled psychological need for many women. Judy Chicago captures this struggle in her autobiography, The Flowering (a must-read for any woman serious about realising her voice): “...because I felt that I had to hide my gender and be tough in both my personality and my work, my imagery was becoming increasingly more neutralized and minimal... I was caught in a bind. In order to be myself, I had to express those things that were most real to me... At the same time, if I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist, I had to suppress anything in my work that would mark it as having been made by a woman. I was trying to find a way to be myself, still function within the framework of the art community, and be recognized as an artist.” Chicago’s words reflect the binds many women still navigate today. It’s crucial to understand and address these struggles. Through my observations, I’ve identified three key obstacles that prevent us from expressing our voices: 1. Lack of Intimacy with Ourselves: Difficulty connecting with your own desires, needs, and vision can lead to a lack of self-trust, trapping you in overthinking and paralysis. 2. Chasing Shiny Promises: Distractions and the pressure to earn money quickly can side-track you from understanding what you truly want to contribute. Engaging in intentional experimentation is essential. 3. Avoidance of Discomfort: Fear of criticism or intellectual confrontation can paralyse you, making you perceive uncomfortable emotions as signs to stop. These obstacles can be overcome and embraced as empowering parts of your journey. In the coming weeks, I’ll explore each barrier in more depth, providing practical insights to help you navigate these challenges. By removing these obstacles, you can become an unstoppable force in your pursuits, fully embracing your power to create in unprecedented ways.

Life can leave us discouraged, but we can also give ourselves ENCOURAGEMENT through constant reminders of why we are doing what we are doing. For me, I'm building a legacy for my daughter and paving a way for every Latina therapist to grow their income through their practice. As a Coach, Therapist and Business Strategist I know what it’s like to start at zero. I also know what it’s like to bite off more than you can chew and have to show up anyway. It’s hard work, but you, amiguita, you’re here at just the right time. As we celebrate Women's History Month, I can’t help but think about my journey from therapist to business mindset coach. The truth is, I've always craved movement and growth, never settling for just one path. With my daughter's unwavering spirit in mind, I've embraced change and embarked on a journey to empower entrepreneurs globally through Jan Marie Inc. It's more than just a business; it's a symbol of love, freedom, and transparency. My goal? To guide fellow entrepreneurs like you towards clarity, confidence, and success. As we honor Women's History Month, let's stand together in solidarity, lifting each other up and celebrating our diverse journeys. Together, we can build a world where every woman's voice is valued and amplified. Interested in working with me? Here’s the info: https://buff.ly/43bFSQN #janessaborges #privatepractice #womenshistorymonth #empowerwomen #diversityandinclusion #janmarieinc #socialworkmonth #latinasocialworkers

I choose to be difficult. During a moment of introspection, I reflected upon the fact that I had recently been referred to as 'difficult'. I must admit that I do not find this term offensive, but it is something that most female professionals strive to avoid being labeled as - 'a difficult woman'. In my perspective, a difficult person is someone unpleasant, offensive, and should be avoided at all costs. However, I am aware that this is not the case for me. I am 'difficult' because I raise thought-provoking issues, pose uncomfortable questions, possess intelligence and defiance, occasionally I get emotional, and have a non-conformist and driven nature. For these reasons, I embrace the label 'difficult' because I have a clear vision and purpose: to enhance opportunities for youth and women through education and entrepreneurship. No one else can fulfill my purpose for me. Admittedly, I may encounter resistance along the way, but I will continue to confront my fears and take risks. Upon further reflection, I realize that I have never heard any of my male colleagues being labeled as 'difficult'. 🤓

Social class “straddlers” who navigate different social classes between their home and work lives often experience dismay at the oftentimes baffling mores of the corporate workplace. Excerpt: “Social class counts at the office, even though nobody likes to admit it. Ultimately, corporate norms are based on middle- and upper-class values, business types say. From an early age, middle-class people learn how to get along, using diplomacy, nuance, and politics to grab what they need. It is as though they are following a set of rules laid out in a manual that blue-collar families never have the chance to read.” (From M. Lubrano, Limbo: Blue Collar Roots, White Collar Dreams)

What fuels my passion for helping Black and Brown women get ahead in the workplace? Because I know what it's like. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get ahead. Repeatedly, I was told that I would never be a Vice President.  BUT... When I discovered that I had control over my own journey despite the sexual harassment, discrimination, and microaggressions I encountered, everything changed. And I realized that I had the power all along! Executive Presence was the key to getting myself to the top.  And I'd be damned if I didn't share this knowledge with other Black and Brown women. My focus, my goal, is to get women who look like me out of their self-limiting beliefs.  It's time to wake up! ⏰ So here it is - The Being Conference. It's your wake-up call to the connection between owning your greatness and finally seeing the professional progress you deserve. The Being Conference is all about authentically shifting and growing. In this immersive 3-day hands-on, intimate, and in-person experience, you'll discover how to boost your career by establishing Executive Presence and strengthening your emotional intelligence.  I can't wait to show you the secret to achieving success despite adversity. Let me show you how to prove the naysayers wrong and reach your professional goals. Click here to reserve your spot today. ➡ https://lnkd.in/d_et68JV  #TheTeewithLinda #ExecutivePresence #BeingBrownAtWork #LeadershipMindset #CareerGoals #CareerAdvice #CareerChange #CareerSuccess #Career #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching #CareerPlanning #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalWomen

Letter to women We are listening! We are listening, the challenges you face living in a world where your safety feels compromised, where your voices are sometimes drowned out or dismissed, are real. As men, we recognize this reality, and it’s a reality that we are accountable for. We are listening that the patterns of harm, microaggressions, and even silence that you’ve described stem from a larger issue within our society, a system that we are all a part of. And while we may not always fully understand the depths of what it’s like to walk through this world as a woman, we are committed to listening, to learning, and to being better allies in this journey. But here’s where we want to shift the story. Rather than carrying shame or guilt, we are choosing action. We believe that true change begins with an honest look inward. We, as men, need to break down the walls that have kept us from addressing these issue, from listening without defensiveness and from creating spaces where the voices of women can be heard and respected. It’s time to stop turning away from uncomfortable truths and start embracing them as the call for growth and accountability that they are. We are committed to challenging the narratives that keep us from being vulnerable, from admitting our own blind spots, and from understanding that strength lies in humility and empathy. So, we are listening. And as we listen, we are taking action. We will be the ones who stand up, who stop the cycle by healing ourselves and, in turn, creating a culture of safety, respect, and true understanding. We’re not doing this out of obligation, but because this is the world we want to build, a world where all voices are heard, all lives are respected, and everyone feels safe. Thank you Robyn Patton for speaking out. Thank you for calling us to accountability. The time for change is indeed now, and we are here to do our part. #genderviolence #toxicmasculinity #empoweringmen https://lnkd.in/dVg8-TVJ