“This book touched me in ways I didn’t expect. Each story in Leading From Within carries a depth and tenderness that reminds us that leadership isn’t about titles or performance—it’s about presence, truth, and humanity. Reading these pages, I felt seen, softened, and inspired to lead from a deeper place within myself. For anyone who has ever questioned if they’re enough or wondered how to lead with more integrity, this anthology will meet you where you are and gently invite you higher.”
— Bridgette Simmonds, PCC, Transformational Speaker, Executive Coach, and Founder of InspHIGHER Corp
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A bold and unapologetic debut of the Conscious Leadership Collective—thirteen leaders upgrading the conversation on leadership by revealing the truth about authenticity through vulnerable and transparent lived experiences.What if the greatest obstacle to your leadership isn’t your organization… but your own internal BS?A Conscious Leadership Collective Volume 1: Leading From Within—Ceasing and Desisting the Internal BS is not your typical leadership book. Forget the polished theories and the “10 easy steps” approach—this is real, raw, and unapologetic truth-telling about what it takes to lead yourself before you can lead anyone else.
Thirteen bold voices—executives, entrepreneurs, coaches, creatives, and change agents—pull back the curtain on the internal battles that quietly shape how we show up as leaders. They speak openly about the self-doubt, fear, perfectionism, and limiting narratives that can sabotage even the most capable people, and what it looks like to shut them down for good.
Through deeply personal essays, you’ll discover:- How to identify and dismantle your patterns of self-sabotage
- The power of leading in the middle of chaos, not just after it’s over
- Why perfection is overrated, and presence is everything
- What happens when you align your leadership with your values, not just your title.
This book is for leaders, aspiring leaders, and anyone ready to cross the line in the sand between playing small and showing up fully. Whether you’re navigating personal change, professional growth, or both, you’ll find a mirror, a map, and a challenge to stop negotiating with your excuses and start leading with clarity, courage, and conviction.
Because leadership is bigger than the title—it’s the inner work that changes everything.The book includes:- Foreword Author: Angela R. McCullough
- Presented By: Chantée L. Christian
- Cover Designed By: MaeArt Creative
- Cover Photographer: Life of a Fat Kid
- Authors:
- Jacquelyn Bsharah, PhD: Thoughtful Leadership: From the Ashes to Alignment
- Chantée L. Christian: And Suddenly…Shift Happens
- Dionne Galloway: The Beautiful Paradox of Purpose
- Darci L. Graves: I Don’t Have Cancer and My Dog Isn’t Dead
- James T. Harris: From Legacy To Leadership: Lessons My Father Never Spoke, But Always Lived
- Dominique Hollins: To Play or Not to Play the Game
- Dyana Langley-Robinson: Rough Truths & Smooth R&B
- Minetta Minor: The Gift of Disruption: Redirection and Joy
- Marquise "Bogey" McCoy: Flow Over Force: Lighting Your Path Forward
- Carl Mosby III: There’s a Rhythm, Measured Power
- Jennifer Pihlaja: The Quiet Power of Turning Inward
- Ashley B. Stewart: From Performance to Presence
Chantée L. Christian is an ambassador of awareness with two decades of experience in management consulting and coaching. As founder of My Best SHIFT, she helps leaders align strategy with self-awareness to lead with intention, clarity, and authenticity.She brings a unique blend of emotional intelligence, business acumen, and social impact to clients across sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, universities, and federal agencies. At the core of her work is a commitment to being a catalyst for growth and change through inspired action.Chantée is the founder of CCMedia, the publishing imprint behind the acclaimed bestseller Awareness Put Me On. A 3x bestselling author and award-winning podcaster, she also created Unspoken Truths of Being Black, an award-winning series that explores critical issues through the lens of heightened awareness and lived experience. In 2021, she was recognized as a Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 honoree for her cross-sector leadership and community impact.A lifelong learner, Chantée holds a bachelor's degree from George Mason University and an MBA from Webster University. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Certified Practitioner, a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP), and holds a Strategic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.Beyond the titles and accolades, she's a true Aquarius who moves to the beat of her own drum. She enjoys a good libation, traveling, and shopping (even if only through the window). Most of all, she loves belly laughs and creating core memories.
