In this episode of Daily Creative we are joined by Jenny Wood, author of Wild Courage and former executive at Google. We delve into the concept of mediocrity and how many bright creatives can inadvertently settle for less due to fear and external pressures. Jenny shares her transformative subway moment that led her to embrace "wild courage" and how she has applied this principle to various aspects of her life and work. We discuss the importance of taking action despite fears, and Jenny introduces us to her unique approach to courage, highlighting traits such as being "healthily manipulative" to enhance influence and success.

Jenny also explains the idea of "woo with you," a technique to build relationships through empathy and valuing others, while staying rooted in ethical practices. We explore how courage isn't about eliminating fear, but progressing despite it, focusing on subtle yet determined actions that lead to significant change. Jenny emphasizes rejecting imposter syndrome and owning one's strengths proudly. Her book, Wild Courage, encourages readers to pursue their goals with deliberate, courageous steps that defy conventional expectations.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Mediocrity often happens in small increments of settling, driven by fear disguised as wisdom.
2. Wild courage involves taking calculated risks and acting even when fear is present.
3. Influence can be cultivated through empathy and valuing others, embracing a mindset of healthy manipulation.
4. True courage isn't about bravado; it's small, consistent progress toward meaningful goals.
5. Embracing one's strengths and rejecting imposter syndrome is crucial for professional and personal growth.

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