Episode 13: Courage Is Not Waiting Until You’re Ready

In this episode of Courage Is Built Here, Justine opens Pathway Three, Be Fully You, with an honest conversation about courage, authenticity, and what it means to stop waiting until you feel ready. She is joined by educator and superintendent Amy Ruzicka, who shares how imposter syndrome and self-doubt shaped her leadership journey and how courage showed up when she chose to apply for superintendent.

Amy reflects on her years of experience in education, the fear of not feeling “enough,” and the moment a mentor asked her, “If not you, then who?” She talks about learning to trust her experience, lead through influence rather than power, and stay fully herself in spaces that are not always safe or affirming.

Together, Justine and Amy explore vulnerability, boundaries, and authenticity as essential leadership practices. They discuss how some spaces are not worthy of hearing your story, why influence grows through authenticity, and how courage sometimes looks like allowing yourself to feel joy instead of bracing for what might go wrong. The episode closes with reflections on honoring seasons of life, including parenting transitions, and recognizing growth along the way.

Key Takeaways

• Pathway Three, Be Fully You, is about showing up as all of who you are, even when it feels vulnerable or risky.
• Waiting to feel one hundred percent ready often keeps people from taking courageous steps.
• Imposter syndrome and self-doubt can become self-imposed barriers to leadership and growth.
• Authentic leadership requires vulnerability, boundaries, and the courage to stay yourself in unsafe or uncomfortable spaces.
• Leading through influence rather than positional power builds trust and stronger teams.
• Some spaces are not worthy of hearing your story and do not get to speak into your life.
• Courage can look like allowing yourself to experience joy instead of foreboding it.
• Learning to listen with the intent to be influenced creates better leadership and decision-making.
• Celebrating seasons of life, including parenting transitions, is part of honoring your growth and courage.

About the guest

Amy Ruzicka serves as Superintendent of Schools for one of Missouri’s most linguistically diverse districts. With 24 years in education, she has held roles ranging from math teacher and instructional coach to professional development coordinator and Chief Academic Officer. Amy is committed to learning and growing as a courageous leader while cultivating strong leadership teams united by a shared vision for student success. She also serves as co-facilitator of the Greater St. Louis Women in Leadership Network for the Missouri Association of School Administrators.

Connect with Amy

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-ruzicka-9bb530102/
• Bayless School District: https://www.baylessk12.org/