Do Not Dim Your Light

Matthew Powell
February 24, 2025
Daughter wearing her cape

My daughter will not leave the house without being in full costume for the day. Her authenticity flows freely. Her inner voice clears the way for courage. She does not have inner chatter wondering what others might think of her creativity.

She wakes up each day ready to embrace the hero she chooses to be. One morning, she’s Cinderella, moving through the world with kindness. The next, she’s Queen Elsa—powerful and playful—calling her little brother Olaf and freezing my wife and I in place with her imaginary superpowers.

What strikes me most is that she’s not held captive to the “resistance.” There’s no inner chatter holding her back, no social norms tying her down. She leads with her heart—unafraid, unfiltered, and fully herself.  

She’s shown me how often I hold back—how that voice in my head convinces me to stay small, to stay quiet for fear of judgment, to shrink behind what’s expected instead of letting my true self shine.  

She’s showing me that it’s beautiful to be authentic. Hiding behind our talents deprives the world of our gifts. Playing small doesn’t serve anyone!

Lately, I’ve been returning to the words of Anthony de Mello:

“Don’t change. Don’t change. I love you just the way you are.”

When we embrace ourselves—flaws, gifts, and all—we unlock our superpowers. And this world needs our light. It needs our leadership.

Wear your cape this week even if that is as simple as a smile in a room of strangers. Be bold enough to be you.

Next week, I’m going to reflect on what we’re doing at Century and what can be improved to cultivate fertile soil for our teammates to wear their cape like my daughter does so well.

Onward,

Matt

Insights from over 100 years of experience

Resources

RElated Posts

Insights from over 100 years of experience.

View All
Insights
Matthew's Weekly Note

Bill Walsh’s Darkest Professional Moment Shaped Him

If we didn’t have setbacks and challenges we would not know what we are capable of.

Read blog post
Bill Walsh’s Darkest Professional Moment Shaped Him
Bill Walsh’s Darkest Professional Moment Shaped Him
Insights
Matthew's Weekly Note

What’s It Like Around Here?

Work is the opportunity to serve while being seen, heard, and accepted. I believe that is what we all want at the end of our life, I know I do.

Read blog post
What’s It Like Around Here?
What’s It Like Around Here?
Insights
Matthew's Weekly Note

Do Not Dim Your Light

Wear your cape this week even if that is as simple as a smile in a room of strangers. Be bold enough to be you.

Read blog post
Do Not Dim Your Light
Do Not Dim Your Light
No items found.

Ready to Get Started?

01

Request A Project Quote

Request A Project Quote
02

Join the Century Fence Team

Join the Century Fence Team
03

Consider Partnering with Century

Consider Partnering with Century
04

Book Matthew Powell for Speaking

Book Matthew Powell for Speaking