From Clarity to Courage: Carma Spence on Women's Leadership and the Power of Sharing Your Voice
Strategic guide, creative catalyst, and bestselling author Carma Spence has spent her career helping visionary leaders transform their expertise into powerful, client-attracting books. But her wisdom extends far beyond the written word.
As someone who has worked with organizations ranging from the National Human Genome Research Institute to BlueShield of California, and who guides executive coaches, business leaders, and consultants in crafting books that spark change, Carma understands the unique challenges women face in stepping into thought leadership roles.
Her journey began with a profound moment on Mombasa beach, where her father carved her name in the sand and ignited her understanding that "words can hold magic." Years later, after publishing multiple bestsellers and winning an award for one of her books, Carma created what she couldn't find: "A way forward that honors both message and momentum. A process that blends structure with soul.
Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that "we are all born heroes. But we're not always born with the self-recognition of that hero within us." In this candid conversation, Carma shares her insights on building authentic thought leadership, conquering the "mind goblins" of self-doubt, and her commitment to lifting other women as she climbs.
Whether you're hesitating to share your expertise or looking to amplify your leadership voice, Carma's wisdom offers a roadmap from uncertainty to influence—one that prioritizes clarity over credentials and courage over comfort.
Q1: Many women struggle with positioning themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Can you share how you built your authority and credibility as a leader? What advice would you give to women who feel they need more credentials or experience before they can step into thought leadership roles?
For me, thought leadership starts with clarity, not confidence. Clarity about who I serve, what they struggle with, and how I can help. That clarity didn’t come from stacking up credentials. It came from showing up consistently and writing things down.Writing is how I hone my ideas. Every blog, every social post, every outline, every messy draft helps me sharpen my thinking. I don't wait to be seen as a thought leader. I become one by doing the work of thinking, and then sharing those thoughts publicly.If you’re waiting until you feel like you’ve earned the right to speak, you’ll be waiting forever. The truth is, thought leadership grows out of the process of expressing and refining your ideas, not the other way around.My advice? Start writing. Start talking. Start sharing what you know. You don’t need more credentials. You need more moments of clarity shared with the people who need them.
Q2: In your experience leading and working with other women entrepreneurs, what are the most common 'mind goblins' of self-doubt that hold women back from fully stepping into their leadership potential? How do you help yourself and others push through those limiting beliefs?
The loudest goblins usually whisper things like, “You’re not ready,” “You’re not good enough,” or “What if you mess this up in front of everyone?” They disguise themselves as logic, when really they’re just fear wrapped in perfectionism.When I see this in myself or others, I come back to two things: self-forgiveness and courage. Self-forgiveness for not being perfect. For being human. For not knowing everything. And courage: not the absence of fear, but the willingness to feel it and move anyway.The truth is, fear doesn’t go away just because you’re smart, experienced, or successful. It gets quieter the more you practice not giving it the final vote. Leadership means choosing your mission over your comfort. Every time you do that, the fear gets a little less convincing.
Q3: As someone who helps others succeed, what's your philosophy on lifting other women as you climb? Can you share a specific example of how mentoring or supporting another woman leader has also enriched your own leadership journey?
It’s hard to pick one moment. There have been so many. Moments where an insight I offered helped someone shift from stuck to sparked. Where they saw not just the problem, but the possibility.That’s what lights me up. I love being the wind beneath someone’s wings. Not because I want credit, but because I believe the more people who fly, the better off we all are.My philosophy is simple: share what you know, lift as you go, and celebrate every lightbulb moment like it’s your own. When we do that for each other, we don’t just build businesses, we build a better future.
Resources:
Website: https://carmaspence.com/
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