What if the secret to being an exceptional leader isn't about being stronger, working harder, or having all the answers — but about being the first one in the room to say *I need a break*?

Sounds counterintuitive, right? Maybe even a little reckless. But stick with me here.

Vanessa McDowell-Atlas grew up deeply rooted in the values of faith, family, and community, shaped by her upbringing in Madison, Wisconsin. The McDowell household instilled a strong connection to God, encouraged giving back, and fostered authenticity. These ideals were lived out every day.

Authenticity, though often overused in today’s cultural landscape, holds a deeper resonance for Vanessa. She notes that the pressure to perform and conform is magnified by technology and social media, where curated lives and even AI-generated content can make “real” feel elusive. The craving for genuine connection, she believes, is stronger than ever because so much of what’s presented isn’t authentic at all. Growing up without the noise of constant screens, Vanessa learned the value of face-to-face relationships and the grounding that comes from truly being seen and heard.

From these foundations, Vanessa’s journey into leadership and service was anything but random. Each step in her career was guided by faith and an intentional sense of purpose. She describes her path as a series of conscious choices—listening, reflecting, and praying to discern where she was meant to serve. Even when the path was uncertain or intimidating, she adopted the mantra “do it scared,” understanding that courage grows in the doing, not the waiting.

She's a natural introvert. She deals with anxiety. And somehow, she ended up as the CEO of a century-old organization — becoming the first Black woman in its entire history to hold that role. No pressure or anything.

She didn't stumble into it either. Her boss announced she was leaving, tapped Vanessa on the shoulder for the interim role, and Vanessa thought, *sure, six months, I can hold it down.* Spoiler: it became permanent. And what she inherited? Her words — a mess. On top of that, she was carrying what she calls "three isms" — racism, sexism, and ageism — every single day, before she even opened her laptop.

So she did what a lot of leaders do. She worked twice as hard, carried the load silently, and told everyone she was fine.

Burnout came for her anyway… because it always does. But here's where Vanessa's story takes a turn most leaders never make: she told her team the truth, took two weeks completely off, and came back so recharged that her staff literally noticed the difference and asked why she didn't do it sooner.

By giving herself permission to pause, rest, and ask for support, Vanessa not only transformed her approach to her own well-being but also modeled a new kind of leadership for her team and community. As she puts it, being a “strong Black woman” is not about never taking a break. It’s about having the wisdom to know when to recharge, so you can serve from a place of wholeness.

Oh, and did I mention she's also a DJ on the side? Yeah. DJ Ace is in the building.

Vanessa is now a transformational leadership coach, and in this conversation, she's about to share what it actually looks like to lead from your values, do it scared, and give yourself, along with everyone watching you, permission to be human.

Resources

Vanessa McDowell-Atlas’ website: vmatransformationalcoaching.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessarmcdowell

Hype Song

Vanessa’s hype song is You've Been So Faithful by Eddie James & The Phoenix Mass Choir https://youtu.be/m28IBrcgSIo?si=kE2OV_-o0msqb7vC

Invitation from Lori:

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.

Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.

Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.

But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.

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Because when people feel heard, they engage.