The Leadership Lessons I Learned Before I Had a Title: A Story About My First Job

“When people expect you to show up, you show up. When the world is cold, you ride anyway. When no one is watching—you still lead with integrity.” – Joanna Douglas

Before I had a title, a coaching practice, or even a clue what the word executive presence meant, I had a newspaper route.

Not glamorous.
Not viral.
No one was clapping.
But oh—was it formative.

This isn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It’s a story about how leadership often starts long before we realize we’re leading. And sometimes, the most powerful lessons come from places we’ve forgotten to look.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership starts with responsibility, not a title.
   That early paper route taught consistency, reliability, and service—long before coaching sessions or boardrooms

2. Presence matters more than performance.
   You don’t need a fancy title to lead—you need follow-through, integrity, and care when no one’s watching.

3. Speak Your Values Out Loud
   Influence requires clarity. Share your values in meetings and model them consistently.

4. True confidence is integration.
   Real leadership is remembering the version of you before self-doubt and imposter syndrome crept in—and letting her lead again.

5. We’re not building from scratch. We’re remembering who we were.
   Those early jobs, early fears, and early wins? They matter. They were soul prep.

Expanded Insights

The Bike, The Ink, and the Unseen Labor

My sister Cathleen and I rode brown 10-speed bikes with chrome baskets strapped to the back. We folded papers at the front door—ink staining our fingers, breath making little clouds in the cold morning air.

No accolades. No bonus points. Just us, the stories, and the responsibility to deliver.

And in that quiet commitment, leadership was born.

Women Still Lead This Way

Today I coach powerhouse women navigating boardrooms, product launches, mergers, menopause, motherhood—and the invisible emotional labor that no one sees.

They carry more than newspapers. They carry teams. Families. Expectations.

And when they start to forget how strong they are, I remind them: You’ve already done the hard things. Now let’s do them from a place of wholeness, not performance.

Integration is the Real Confidence Strategy

The corporate world will tell you to lead like someone else. To prove. To push. To perfect.

But what if the real power move is to remember? Remember the version of you who showed up early, cold, and unsure—but still did the job. Remember the girl who didn’t wait for applause to lead with integrity. She’s still in there. And she’s who your leadership needs now.

Reconnect with Your Power

Let’s bring this full circle.

Download the Leadership Workbook and start leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

📍 What was your first job?
📍 What did it teach you about leadership, self-trust, or resilience?
📍 What part of that younger version of you still lives in your leadership today?

Share this blog with a woman who needs a reminder of her roots. Because confidence doesn’t come from pretending—we lead best when we remember who we already are.

If you’re ready to lead with courage, authenticity, and less self-doubt, let’s connect.

Until we meet again…You can do hard things. Just keep going.