From the Library to Leadership: How Saying “Yes” Builds Confidence and Creates Impact

Leadership journeys often begin not with a grand plan, but with a defining moment—a call to rise. For Angie Creel, Director of Library Services at Arizona Western College, that moment came when she was unexpectedly asked to step into a director role at a small library in Arizona. She hadn’t prepared for it, didn’t seek it out, and certainly didn’t feel ready. But what she had was passion, persistence, and a quiet commitment to growth.

Angie’s story resonates with countless professionals who have found themselves on the leadership path without a formal invitation. Her experience challenges the myth that leaders must be born with charisma or a checklist of qualifications. Instead, she shows us that leadership often starts with a willingness to say “yes” when opportunity knocks—and a dedication to becoming the kind of leader others can trust.

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The Lesson: Leadership Often Comes Before Confidence

Contrary to the myth that leaders are born confident and competent, Angie’s experience shows that many great leaders step up long before they feel prepared. Her journey underscores a powerful truth: readiness is often a result of action, not a prerequisite. Too many talented individuals hold themselves back, waiting to feel “ready.” But leadership isn’t a state of perfection—it’s a journey of presence, growth, and learning.

Instead of waiting to feel confident, Angie leaned into discomfort. She asked questions, learned from mistakes, and sought support. Her willingness to lead with humility became her superpower.

Understanding the Early Signs of Leadership Potential

Leadership doesn’t always look like ambition. Sometimes it looks like curiosity, reliability, and a deep desire to serve. Angie didn’t seek out titles—she simply kept showing up. She built relationships, asked for feedback, and took initiative. Eventually, someone noticed.

One of her earliest supervisors saw something in her—an attentiveness to detail, a passion for literacy, and a strong rapport with students and faculty. That encouragement became the first domino in her leadership journey.

Ask yourself: what traits do you exhibit daily that signal your readiness, even if you don’t feel ready? Are you consistent? Do you show up with integrity? Do others trust you to follow through?

Tips for Embracing Leadership Before You Feel Ready

• Say Yes Before You Talk Yourself Out of It
  Fear often masks growth opportunities. When a leadership role presents itself—even if it’s unofficial—consider what you can gain from stepping in. Angie accepted the challenge even when imposter syndrome crept in. Confidence followed action, not the other way around.

• Lean Into Discomfort
  Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Angie accepted her role despite the fear, then did what every good leader does: she got to work. Whether it was learning new software, facilitating team meetings, or presenting to college leadership, she embraced the messiness of growth.

• Surround Yourself with Encouragers and Truth-Tellers
  Mentors, colleagues, and friends who believe in your potential can help you build resilience and clarity. Angie credits several individuals who offered encouragement and honest feedback throughout her career.

• Reflect and Journal Daily
  Angie used journaling to process challenges and identify patterns. Reflection isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a leadership tool. It creates space to learn from experiences and fine-tune decision-making skills.

• Redefine Leadership
  Leadership isn’t always being the loudest or most experienced. It’s about creating spaces where others can thrive. Angie led by listening and supporting. She championed her team, encouraged autonomy, and made space for diverse voices.

Leadership in Practice: Angie’s Story

Angie recalls her early days as a leader with both humility and pride. She didn’t walk into the director role with a five-year plan. She walked in with a heart for service and a hunger to do the job well.

Her first major challenge involved staff turnover. With few experienced team members, she had to quickly assess needs, design workflows, and rebuild morale. It was overwhelming—but it was also energizing. Angie made it her mission to listen first. She conducted one-on-one meetings with each staff member, asking, “What’s working? What’s not? What support do you need?”

Those conversations built trust. They also revealed pain points in communication, outdated policies, and a lack of shared vision. Angie responded by co-creating solutions with her team. She didn’t pretend to know it all—instead, she positioned herself as a learner alongside them.

Staff meetings became collaborative, and her transparency inspired confidence. Over time, her team became more engaged, creative, and aligned. Together, they redesigned workflows, launched new library programs, and increased student engagement.

When Leadership Surprises You: Navigating the Shift

When you're unexpectedly placed in a leadership position, it can feel like walking into the spotlight without a script. Angie suggests:

• Acknowledge what you don’t know. You gain credibility when you’re honest about gaps. Instead of pretending, say: “I’m still learning—but I’m committed to growing.”

• Ask smart questions. Curiosity opens doors and builds connections. It shows that you value input and want to make informed decisions.

• Find your leadership rhythm. Try different approaches until you find what aligns with your personality and values. Angie experimented with communication styles, leadership models, and meeting formats until she discovered what worked best for her team.

Leadership Lessons from the Library

Libraries are often quiet places, but behind the scenes, they’re dynamic ecosystems. Angie’s leadership transformed not just workflows but culture. She introduced student advisory committees to give voice to the people the library serves. She advocated for inclusive programming and championed the Southwest Border Collection to reflect regional diversity.

Her ability to lead was rooted in empathy and listening—not control. And that made all the difference.

A Leadership Challenge

Think back to a time when you were asked to take on more responsibility than you felt ready for. How did you respond? What lessons did you carry forward?

Take 15 minutes to journal your thoughts. Reflect on:

• What did I learn about myself in that experience?

• What skills or traits helped me succeed, even if I doubted myself?

• What support would have made it easier?

Then identify one area in your current work or life where you're hesitating. What would happen if you stepped in anyway? What if you said yes, even with shaking hands?

Call to Action

Leadership often shows up before confidence does. Stop waiting for a feeling—and start stepping into opportunities. You don’t need a perfect resume to make an impact. You need willingness. You need courage. And you need support.

We want to hear your story. Share your leadership moment on social media using #LeadershipFoundMe and tag @DoGoodLeadership. Your journey could inspire someone else to step forward with heart, even before they feel “ready.”

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