Bonus: Leadership Lesson 19: Growth vs. Safety: How Do You Know Which One to Choose?
In this bonus replay episode, I’m revisiting one of my favorite conversations from the Fierce Factor: one of the most dangerous myths women are taught about success, that “playing it safe” is the responsible choice.
This conversation was sparked by a reflection on 2016, the year I started KLC and the year my brother passed away, and a question that stopped me in my tracks: Is my life truly better because I chose growth over safety? What I’ve learned over the past decade is this: safety is often conditional, and comfort can be far more limiting than risk.
I take you back to my corporate career at Bayer Healthcare, a role that looked secure by every traditional measure. Great pay, benefits, prestige, and a clear path forward… until one unexpected call from HR shattered the illusion of stability. That moment changed how I understand security, responsibility, and agency, especially for women.
We’ll talk about why big companies are often romanticized as “safe,” why small business ownership is framed as risky, and how that mindset shows up when women build their own companies. I’ll also share a powerful story about growth, discomfort, and why the very tension we try to avoid is often what prepares us for our next level.
If you’re craving expansion but feel stuck optimizing for familiarity instead of fulfillment, this bonus replay is your invitation to rethink what safety really means, and to consider whether the boldest move might actually be the most responsible one.
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