I define Fearless Inclusion as "the freedom to be yourself and the ability to create space for others to do the same." In writing this definition, I considered using the word 'ability' instead of 'freedom' but that would center the definition around skills or talents, not emotion and sense of self. Merriam-Webster defines ability as "the quality or state of being able; competence in doing something." Freedom, on the other hand, is rooted in a deep understanding of who you are and the confidence to express that without constraint.
Freedom is often perceived as a state of being or a right granted by external forces, yet it is also something deeply internal—an active competency that requires cultivation, awareness, and intention. It is the ability to recognize and reject the limitations imposed by societal conditioning, personal insecurities, and fear of external judgment. It involves the ongoing practice of aligning your internal values with how you show up and express yourself, even when facing resistance or uncertainty. True freedom demands a willingness to explore your identity, challenge ingrained beliefs, and embrace discomfort in the pursuit of authenticity. It is not just about removing external barriers; it is about developing the confidence, self-trust, and agency to exist fully and authentically.
Many assume that freedom is something granted or restricted by laws, social norms, or structural constraints. While these factors influence access to freedom, the deepest and most lasting form of freedom is internal. True freedom is not just the ability to make choices, but the ability to make choices that align with who you are, free from unnecessary hesitation, self-doubt, or fear of external judgment. It is the clarity to know what you want and the confidence to pursue it.
Developing freedom as a competency requires awareness - awareness of self, of conditioning, of societal expectations, and of the invisible limitations we place on ourselves. Often, the biggest barriers to our own freedom are not external but internal. We internalize messages about who we should be, what is acceptable, and how we are expected to move through the world. These narratives unknowingly dictate our decisions and behaviors, restricting our ability to operate from a place of genuine choice.
Freedom requires examining which constraints are real and which ones we have imposed upon ourselves. The more we cultivate freedom, the more we create the conditions for greater authenticity, confidence, and alignment in our lives. It is not something we wait for; it is something we practice. And as we build our own capacity for freedom, we also create space for others to do the same. Freedom is hard. All of this stuff requires a form of bravery that often isn't rewarded in society. Pressures to hide, hold back, go along to get along - especially at work where the stakes are high - our reputation, our livelihood. This isn't something you either do or don't do; something we work toward. We strive for it.
The question is: Are you striving toward freedom? What are you doing to cultivate yours today?