S9E6: Manufacturing Fearlessness with Caressa Bell

Fear never fully goes away, so what if the goal was never to get rid of it? Caressa Bell, a Gulf War veteran, former Fortune 50 executive, and author of Manufactured Fearlessness, joins Laura to reframe fearlessness as something you build, not something you’re born with. Drawing on the moment she deployed to war with a newborn at home, Caressa shares how “moving even when you’re not ready” became the practice that carried her through a military career, two decades in corporate leadership, and the leap into entrepreneurship. She and Laura dig into leading yourself before you lead others, reading what’s really happening “beyond the veil” in a room, and why so many of us are far more ready than we let ourselves believe. A galvanizing conversation for any Black woman standing at the edge of a bold move.

In this episode:

Why fearlessness is manufactured: how to feel the fear, look back at everything you’ve already done afraid, and move anyway
“Beyond the veil”: reading the unspoken dynamics in a room so you can lead and position yourself strategically
Why you have to lead yourself first, and how knowing your gifts and triggers is the foundation for leading others

About Caressa

Caressa Bell is an Executive Strategist, Leadership & Transformation Coach, Gulf War Veteran, and former Fortune 50 Executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning military service, corporate transformation, and entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she has led billion-dollar portfolios, enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, and teams of more than 200 professionals. Today, through her work, speaking, and upcoming book Manufactured Fearlessness: Own Your Leadership, Own the Room, she helps leaders build the courage, clarity, and confidence to Lead Yourself. Lead Others. Leave a Legacy.

Connect with Caressa

Website: http://www.iamcaressabell.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caressabell/

Instagram: @claritywithcaressa

BWL Resources:

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