A note to the high performer who pulls back so as not to draw attention to herself, to the manager who cancels one-on-one meetings because some other project is always more urgent, to the executive who spends hours in their office and away from the demands of human interaction.

I've hidden before. Maybe you're hiding right now.

But we noticed. We, as in those whom you could have impacted. We were hoping you would take the leap.

Actually, it was more than hope. We saw the glimmer of promise that makes you unique. Ever since then, we've been hoping you would step away from safety and into the scary unknown.

I know what it's like to play it safe. The game is mentally and emotionally easier when you're willing to play by someone else's rules. It feels safer to step back and let someone else step forward.

I did it for years. Sometimes, part of me still wants to do it today.

But that's just a demonstration of fear. The fear that fuels a narrative that you're really not good enough. The fear that imperfection equals failure.

But no one ever helped anyone else by hiding. Every single person you and I admire made a decision to stop hiding and start acting.

Who's waiting for you to do the same?