The Unseen Struggle: Heather Monahan on Taking Leaps Before Applause

In a recent LinkedIn post, Heather Monahan shares a personal reflection on the often-lonely journey of making significant career decisions, emphasizing that recognition and validation typically follow, rather than precede, the initial leap of faith. Monahan contrasts the public celebration of success with the private struggle and doubt that often accompanies the decision to pivot or start anew.

The Solitude of the Initial Decision

Monahan highlights the stark reality that major achievements, whether a promotion, a bestseller, or a thriving business, are met with widespread applause. However, the critical moment of deciding to pursue these goals, especially when it involves leaving a familiar path, is rarely met with similar fanfare. She recounts her own experience seven years prior, after being fired from her long-term career.

“Nobody claps for the decision before it pays off. They clap after.”

This sentiment underscores the core of her message: the courage to act on a belief, even in the absence of external encouragement, is the true starting point. Monahan details her situation at the time: no established speaking business, no bestselling books, no TED Talk, and a significantly smaller online following than she commands today. All she had was a decision and the conviction that her story wasn’t over.

Confidence as a Byproduct, Not a Prerequisite

The post then pivots to a pivotal interaction Monahan had about a year into her new career path, while speaking at an event in Panama City. She encountered a woman who felt a calling for more but was investing her energy into building someone else’s vision. Monahan offered advice that resonated deeply with her own journey:

“You don’t wait for confidence to take the leap. You take the leap, and confidence catches up.”

This powerful quote, as Monahan notes, captures the essence of overcoming self-doubt. It suggests that action is the catalyst for building confidence, rather than the other way around. She illustrates this point with the story of the woman she met, who, after being laid off a few months later, chose to view it not as an end, but as permission to build her own dream.

The Long Game and the Power of Community

The narrative comes full circle as Monahan reveals she recently spoke at the same event in Panama City. The woman she had advised was present, but this time, she was no longer an uncertain observer; she was actively building the life she had envisioned. This reunion served as a potent reminder for Monahan of why she initially took her own leap of faith.

According to Monahan, the most challenging decisions are often characterized by doubt rather than immediate applause. She stresses the importance of not mistaking the absence of external validation for the wrongness of a decision. As she points out:

“The hardest decisions rarely come with applause. They come with doubt. The applause comes later.”

Monahan concludes by emphasizing the accelerating effect of surrounding oneself with ambitious individuals. She encourages her audience to seek out and connect with others who are also striving for more, suggesting that this shared pursuit can significantly speed up progress. She invites readers to join her community, linking to a relevant resource.