The Quiet and Strong Podcast, Especially for Introverts
The Quiet and Strong Podcast, Especially for Introverts
Ep 254 - Permission to Shine: Confident and Creative Introvert Leadership with guest Courtney Daniel
Are you ready to embrace your unique strengths as an introverted leader and give yourself permission to shine? In this inspiring episode of The Quiet And Strong Podcast, host David Hall welcomes award-winning entrepreneur, strategist, and TEDx speaker Courtney Daniel for an empowering conversation all about thriving as a confident, creative introvert.
Tune in to discover why introverts don’t lack confidence—they simply need permission and systems that support their authentic energy. Courtney Daniel shares her journey from behind-the-scenes powerhouse to permission coach, teaching introverts how to build their own paths to success and step up to the mic without compromising who they are. You’ll learn practical strategies for organizing your life and work to match your strengths, setting boundaries that nurture your well-being, and embracing multifunctional passions without apology.
This episode is perfect for anyone looking to amplify their voice, create systems for success, and honor what truly lights them up—no matter where they fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum. If you’re seeking encouragement, energy-saving strategies, or just a reminder that your quiet power matters, this is the episode to listen to.
Give yourself permission to shine—and be strong.
Episode Link: QuietandStrong.com/254
Courtney Daniel is an award-winning entrepreneur, strategist, and TEDx speaker with over 20 years of experience transforming chaos into clarity for Emmy Award-winning professionals, multi-million dollar founders, and visionary creative teams. Personally recognized for designing a U.S. Postal Service stamp and featured in outlets like Huffington Post and Entrepreneur on Fire, she excels in executive administration, strategic branding, product launches, and seamless operational systems. A proud multipassionate introvert, Courtney leverages deep listening, intentional creation, and authentic connection to help creative leaders step confidently from behind the scenes and lead with vision, integrity, and quiet power.
Connect with Courtney: LinkedIn
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Minding Your Time: Time Management, Productivity, and Success, Especially for Introverts
Courtney Daniels [00:00:00]:
Introverts feel that they should have the confidence. Like I need more confidence to be visible. We don't lack confidence. We lack the permission and the systems that will work to give us our energy. That's what we need. And us being quiet. It's okay. It's okay to be quiet as an introvert because you're intentional about your response.
Courtney Daniels [00:00:24]:
You're thinking it through before you respond because once you deliver that response on the other end, it's going to be impactful, it's going to carry value and that's the confidence there. You don't have to be loud to be confident.
David Hall [00:00:48]:
Hello and welcome to episode 254 of the Quiet and Strong podcast, especially for introverts. I'm your host David hall and the creator of quietandstrong.com. this is a weekly podcast dedicated to understanding the strengths and needs of introverts along with strategies for success. Introversion is not something to fix, but to be embraced. Normally we will air each episode on a Monday. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a review or rating that would mean a lot to me and help others find the show. Tell a friend about the podcast, help get the word out there that introversion is a beautiful thing. Courtney Daniel is an award winning Entrepreneur, Strategist and TEDx speaker with over 20 years of experience transforming chaos into clarity for Emmy award winning professionals, multi million dollar founders and visionary creative teams.
David Hall [00:01:39]:
Personally recognized for designing a U.S. postal Service stamp and featured in outlets like Huffington Post and Entrepreneur on Fire. She excels in executive administration, strategic branding, product launches and seamless operational systems. A proud, multi passionate introvert, Courtney leveraged deep listening, intentional creation and authentic connection to help creative leaders step confidently from being behind the scenes and lead with vision integrity and quiet power. All right, well welcome to the Quiet and Strong podcast. Courtney. Courtney, it's so good to have you on today.
Courtney Daniels [00:02:19]:
Thank you so much for having me, David. I'm happy to be here.
David Hall [00:02:22]:
We are going to get into the work that you do. Tell us how you got there. Tell us about your journey to what you're doing now.
Courtney Daniels [00:02:29]:
Yes, absolutely. I started, oh gosh, I don't want to date myself but it has been 20 plus years. When I first started out in the administrative work area, I started as a celebrity personal assistant and this was something I wouldn't necessarily. It was a dream job and I had put it out there to one of the ladies who went to my church. I was like, you know, it would be great to work administrative and just to support because I knew I was behind the scenes kind of person. And here we are, moving fast forward, just throughout the years, I've been able to experience doing celebrity personal assistant, working with high profile clients, doing executive support work and just the administrative partnership. And it wasn't until recently that I discovered that I wanted to tap into what really drove me, which was working with people who are my people, like me, an introvert. Right.
Courtney Daniels [00:03:28]:
And just teaching them how to be successful and how to step out confidently and know that, hey, you don't have to operate in any of the systems that the world says that we should operate in. And you're pretty much building your own system so that you can strive for success. And it's, it's been fun and I can't wait to continue to support more introverts such as myself.
David Hall [00:03:52]:
Yeah, that's great. I love how you put that. That's. That's me too. You know, it's like we have so many gifts to offer, but so, so many people misunderstand what they can achieve by living authentically, you know, using their gifts.
Courtney Daniels [00:04:10]:
Absolutely.
David Hall [00:04:11]:
So when did you figure out you were an introvert? How did you put that word to yourself?
Courtney Daniels [00:04:17]:
Yes. So I. It's been less than, it's. About 10 years ago, I had started working with a young lady who had. I was on the Instagram or Facebook and I just saw her name come out and I saw that she was an introvert. And I was like, what is. I had heard about introversion and extroversion as well, and I just wanted to see what it was all about. So I clicked on her information and I started to follow her.
Courtney Daniels [00:04:46]:
And what she was saying really resonated with me. I was like, oh my gosh. So I kind of felt the more that I would read into it, the more lighter I felt like, oh my gosh, this is me. Like, I didn't have to choose one path. I don't have to just be a celebrity personal assistant. I don't have to just be behind the scenes. I could be more than that. And so I took her class and this class was awesome.
Courtney Daniels [00:05:09]:
It allowed me to be able to step up front, learn how to. And from there it was just using my voice. I knew that I had a voice. But, you know, when we read about the myths about introverts is you're supposed to, you're quiet, just all the things. And I was like, you know, I may be quiet, but I am a leader. So it just made it just put the pieces together for me. And again, just less than 10 years ago. This is when this all happened.
Courtney Daniels [00:05:36]:
And I felt like that was the start of me discovering more about who I was and how I operated and how I now had to build a system for me and allow people to adapt to what made me feel good and how I was able to show it 100%.
David Hall [00:05:55]:
Yeah, absolutely. So what did you figure out were strengths you had because you were an introvert?
Courtney Daniels [00:06:01]:
For me, it was about being organized. The strengths of making sure that, you know, when I look at a project, I want to see the end of the project and then I work backwards and putting the energy into it. I didn't. As an introvert, we don't have the energy. So if we're going to do something, I want to make sure that I'm going to do it right the first time as close as possible. Because going back to do it all over again, will I want to do it again? Will I want be excited about doing it again? So it's more intentional, it's more. And setting out those plans. And for me, a lot of people would come and ask, Courtney, can you help plan this? Can you help plan out this event? Can you orchestrate or create a system that allows me to send an email? And once that is automated, how do I get it over to my email list and how do I send out a thank you? So it was just those things that was easy.
Courtney Daniels [00:07:00]:
Excuse me, I don't like to say easy. That was my gift that I use to tap into and other people saw that. But then it took a minute for me to really see that, like this is something that is what you're supposed to be doing or what you should be doing.
David Hall [00:07:18]:
Yeah. It's that deep thinking that really allows you to make strategies and plans and come up with innovative ways to do things.
Courtney Daniels [00:07:27]:
Right. Right. And being creative, I really enjoy that part.
David Hall [00:07:32]:
Yeah. So I know you're a creative person. Do you think being an introvert has contributed to your creativity?
Courtney Daniels [00:07:39]:
I think so. For me is the multi passionate, you know, part of it. The multi passionate of again we were, we were pre. When we were pre gaming, we talked about, you know, me hosting a radio show. I loved music because that was something that my grandmother. I grew up in a cafe and I was just around music all the time. And now I would do card making workshops. I would do that at the senior communities just to give back and just to.
Courtney Daniels [00:08:10]:
To be able to listen to the wisdom that the seniors had. And I enjoyed dance. And so all of these things I wouldn't say necessarily was, you know, my introversion it was just me now learning how to operate and how to not limit myself as to what someone says that I should do. You know, like niche down. You should just do one thing and focus on that. You should just stay in this lane and do that, or you should just be quiet and don't talk. You know, that kind of thing. And I like to break the rules.
Courtney Daniels [00:08:45]:
I like to do things that feel good to me, and if I want to go and paint the sidewalk purple, and that's what I want to do. So it's not the. It's. It's breaking the rules and feeling good about the end result.
David Hall [00:09:02]:
That's amazing. You started to talk about some myths about introversion. Do you have a myth or two you want to bust today?
Courtney Daniels [00:09:10]:
Oh, yeah. The confidence. How, you know, introverts feel that they should have the confidence. Like, I need more confidence to be visible. And it's. We don't. You don't. We don't lack confidence.
Courtney Daniels [00:09:26]:
We lack the permission and the systems that will work to give us our energy. That's what we need. And us being quiet, it's okay. It's okay to be quiet as an introvert because you're intentional about your response. You're thinking it through before you respond, because once you deliver that response on the other end, it's going to be impactful, is going to carry value, and that's the confidence there. You don't have to be loud to be confident, and no one should have to tell you you have to do anything. You know, you do what makes you happy. Another one is that, you know, as I said, you have to pick one lane and stay in that one lane.
Courtney Daniels [00:10:12]:
Absolutely. You can pick a lane and stay in your lane, but it may also include a bump of creativity, a speed bump of being a musician, a speed bump of being a dancer, a speed bump of being a president of a radio station. So it could include all those things. But guess what? It's in your lane and you're doing what makes you happy. So. Yeah.
David Hall [00:10:38]:
Yeah, absolutely. Great. You definitely are doing a lot of different things. That's amazing. And, you know, it's. It's like we can have all the confidence in the world and, you know, sometimes we might not even think of our. When we have all that confidence, we might not think of ourselves as quiet, but people could perceive us that way because we're. We are doing a lot of thinking.
David Hall [00:11:00]:
You know, we're not sharing, we're not speaking every. Thinking out loud all the time, but we can be absolutely confident. But some people might still consider us quiet because we do go deep in thought and it's a good thing, you know, you can come up with some great ideas. And like we're talking about.
Courtney Daniels [00:11:19]:
I think about when people say that, you know, you're quiet, you should be loud based upon what you know, I think about the authenticity and you're taught you're wanting people to be real and is it that you're really to. Are you ready to accept my realness? Because this is who I am. I don't have to be loud and I am being real, you know, like, keep it 100. Like, you know, just tell me all the things. But this is who I am. I shouldn't have to say that verbally because I think about. If you're an extrovert, you pretty much know exactly. This person may be an extrovert, right.
Courtney Daniels [00:11:58]:
Based on some of the characteristics. But as an introvert, it's like you don't necessarily have to say that, but I sometimes feel like that most people, you have to. Because most people may now think that you're antisocial or you may not be filling the room or you're, you're not wanting to be visible or you're not wanting to be a team player. But if you think about, if we just look at everyone that's in the room as everyone is being the real person and who they are, we just now how to know how to assign those specific tasks to those people. Like if, if he likes to be up front. Yes, let's sign, assign him as the presenter. If she likes to design presentations, let's assign, let's assign that. As opposed to he's the extrovert, she's the introvert.
Courtney Daniels [00:12:49]:
You know, it's like those type of things and identifying that especially like in the workforce, I think that that's important to, I, to, to maybe like seek what those things that drive them and what moves them and not so much saying that it's the extroversion versus the introversion part of it.
David Hall [00:13:09]:
Oh yeah, yeah. It's really important to get to know people and what their gifts are, what lights them up, you know, and, and not judge them by some stereotype out there. So Courtney, I, I, I read this on your LinkedIn page in your, your bio at the top. I love it. It says passing the mic to help multi passionate introverts trade the world script for their own. You've been talking about this a little bit, but just elaborate like what do you mean by that? How do we trade the world script for our own.
Courtney Daniels [00:13:41]:
Yeah, absolutely. As an introvert, you're behind the scenes most, at least for me, I'm okay. I'm going to speak for me that I was behind the scenes helping high profile clients look good, hyping them up, you know, so that when they do go out, they're looking great. Their events are immaculate from start to finish, their presentations are on point and I'm doing all of this in giving all this energy into people to support them. And yes, they did hire me to do that because they value my services and they saw that I could deliver on my gifts. But when you're behind the scenes for so many years, you become somewhat complacent. You then may feel like at times that this is where you belong. You may at times feel like this is who I am.
Courtney Daniels [00:14:32]:
There's no growth here. So you begin to doubt yourself. Speaking for me, you begin to doubt yourself and don't feel that you could do more than what you have been doing behind the scenes. But it takes one permission and giving yourself the permission to say, hey, if I can do all of these things for the CEOs, if I could do this for the non profit organizations, if I could do it from whomever hires me, why can't I now turn this and do it for myself? And while I'm doing this, I'm also teaching those people who may be, have been in my same shoes or currently are in my same shoes to say, hey, you know what? You have a voice, use it. You're creative, use it. Someone is out there listening. Someone is wanting this information. So it's time to push any, no, not push them out of the way, but say excuse me in the most respectful way and, and let them know it's time for me to step up to the mic.
Courtney Daniels [00:15:38]:
It's time for me to do all the things that I've done now behind the scenes for so many years and let it shine even brighter than I have been before.
David Hall [00:15:47]:
Yeah. So was there a particular catalyst that made you step up to the mic? As you say, is there something that happened or how did, how did that come about?
Courtney Daniels [00:15:58]:
No, I think for me it was me always realizing that if I was presented with something that I was like, oh my gosh, I'm super nervous about doing this. I'm so nervous. For instance, I use a perfect example, a TED Talk. I had been asked to do a TED Talk for a couple of years and I was like, no way, I'm not doing TED Talk. I am an introvert. Is no way that I'M stepping on the stage in front of that many people to do a TED Talk. But I had to have a come to Courtney meeting with myself and say, hey, if someone is seeing that you can share value and there is something there of value, why can't you see it in yourself? And that was the moment for me to realize, hey, if I've been asked so many times to share or to be on this platform is something that someone wants to hear and needs to hear. So that was the turning point for me is when I did do this.
Courtney Daniels [00:17:03]:
And you know, TED Talks is, that's a big deal. And I did it. And that was the most rewarding experience that I had ever had thus far. Thus far. And it made me realize that I, I do operate differently, I do deliver differently. All those things that my clients have saw and have seen in me for all these years, I now begin to see it in myself. And if I knew that they backed me for 20 plus years, it's time, it's past time for me to be in front of the microphone speaking and leading and teaching, advising and doing all the things that I was running from for all these years.
David Hall [00:17:52]:
Yeah. What have you learned about public speaking as an introvert? You know, you said you gave a TED Talk. You also have been a guest, you're a guest now on a podcast, you've done a radio show. What have you learned about public speaking?
Courtney Daniels [00:18:06]:
For me, I have to prepare is the preparation part and acknowledging that and planning for it so that I, when I do show up, I am living in that moment and not overthinking. So I just want to make sure that I'm delivering the value. And when I don't, then I could. I after the fact would question, oh, I should have said this or I should have done that or did this go right or did I answer that question correctly? So it's a lot of stuff self doubt after that. And then it just takes away from that whole experience. It takes away from someone else of me pitching them to say, hey, this is what I can offer. And once I offer that information and if I don't prepare for my moment afterwards, it just, it goes downhill because I think about all the woulda, shoulda, couldas and it doesn't allow me to really reflect on where I was at that time. So preparation has been the biggest thing for me.
David Hall [00:19:14]:
Yeah, that's something I learned too. It's like I could give a great speech, but I might have to prepare differently than my extroverted colleague. You know, they may not do the same type of preparation and that's fine. I gotta, I had to learn what do I need to do.
Courtney Daniels [00:19:29]:
And there's no system, there's no system that you know, I mean, you could teach it, you could teach the basics, but as you have to adapt it to who you are, as you were saying, to what really works for you. If you can only do 30 minutes at a time, to break it up in those 30 minute blocks, to review the information or what you need to teach, then, then do it that way. It's no right or wrong way to do it. It's ultimately what feels good for you.
David Hall [00:19:59]:
Yeah. So in working with introverts, you know, what practical advice do you have for, for being strong and you know, having your voice heard?
Courtney Daniels [00:20:10]:
I think back to me teaching Zumba and the students, they would come in and this would be a mixed group of women and men. They'll come in and most of them will introduce themselves and I'll introduce myself. And they could say, oh, you know, I'm not a great dancer or I'm going to be in the back, I don't want to be up front, I don't want to mess anything. And for me I would always, not knowing if they're introvert or extrovert, I would always say that this is your masterpiece. You can dance the way you want to dance. The ultimate goal here in this class is for you to get your body moving for these 45 minutes and to have a good time. So the encouragement before I even get to know you or even if you question or have that self doubt, no. What is it about you that drives you? What is it about you that makes you, what is it that makes you happy? Do that thing that's important.
Courtney Daniels [00:21:15]:
So we leave those other energy and the other vibes outside the door. But as of right now, you're going to have a great time. Your two step could look like two left steps. I did not care. I just want the encouragement there. I want the energy. So it's all about making sure that I uplift you first to let you know, hey, you are capable, you are a leader, you are who you believe you are. And if that belief is you're not good enough or you're not confident enough, you're not, you don't have the ability.
Courtney Daniels [00:21:51]:
Let's look at that. Why is that? Where are you hearing this from? And asking what is it that you really believe about yourself? Like do you really believe that you are not capable or do you really believe that you don't have the confidence and dig more into that.
David Hall [00:22:07]:
Yeah, you just mentioned leadership. How is, how has your leadership style been shaped by your introversion?
Courtney Daniels [00:22:19]:
Not asking for permission. I do. If it's something that I want to do, I just do it. And I don't, I don't ask for permission. I think about the group that I started once I moved to the, to my current state. And it was a way of connecting the community. I see that there was a need for it. I felt that it could provide value.
Courtney Daniels [00:22:46]:
And I just created this community where we could all come together, we could talk once a month, we could do panel discussions and we could have conversations, provide resources. So I look for the need, if a need is there. And I do my own data research by asking people in the community or people I may know of quickly, hey, you know what if there was an opportunity for you to have XYZ resource, is this something that you would attend? Is this something that you participate in? Absolutely. All right, guess what? I collect that data for a month or so, then I implement. So it's never been anything that I have done that I didn't do the research for and I just took the initiative to make it happen.
David Hall [00:23:40]:
Yeah. And what do you say to introverts? How can they, as far as leadership goes, how can they leverage their introverted gifts to be great leaders?
Courtney Daniels [00:23:50]:
Yes. For me, I would recommend just writing down all the things that you enjoy doing. What is it? What is it that you enjoy doing? Then go over the list and maybe now if it's 10 things, now you will pick out maybe five things that feel really, really good to you and rate those. And then if you want to do another sweep of the list, do the top three things that really make you feel good and you put your energy into that. Because for me, I look at it as, it's no one stopping you but yourself. It's opportunity out there for everyone. And if you're thinking that, oh, I can't, you're right, you can't. But if you say, hey, you know, this is what makes me happy every morning, this is where I'm going to put my energy into.
Courtney Daniels [00:24:42]:
If it's going to the gym and being on the treadmill 30 minutes, this is what I'm going to put my energy into. This is what I do. So now what that looks like in real life, I go to my calendar Monday through Friday at 8 o', clock, every morning from 8 to 8:30. I know that I'm at the gym. And what that does now is hold me accountable for what I have now said that I'm going to commit to because I know that this is something that makes me happy. So any other appointments that try to come into that space, I know it's a non negotiable because I have now blocked this off to doing and contributing to my happiness for the day. And it's just taking those little micro steps and putting those into play. Okay, so if I say I want to take crafting classes on Fridays, I go find me a crafting class.
Courtney Daniels [00:25:35]:
I now sign up for the month on Fridays. I then now put this into my calendar and if anything tries to book or overlap that I would say no, absolutely not. Because this now is my me time which now in turns to the self care aspect of it. So it's all about identifying those things that really makes you happy. Regardless of what someone has told you that hey, you shouldn't be doing that or you should be doing something else. No, that's their projection about what you should be doing. But what are you telling yourself you should be doing? And once you're able to identify those things, then do it if it's safe. But you know, do those things.
David Hall [00:26:23]:
Yeah. So it's definitely important to set some boundaries like you're talking about and have some self care. How do you do that? How do you set boundaries and what have you learned about managing your energy as an introvert?
Courtney Daniels [00:26:40]:
I set boundaries. No is a complete sentence. It does not need an explanation. In the beginning, I must say that that was something that was very quite challenging for me because as I mentioned, my work was so much in the administrative field. You're pretty much the person that goats, you're the go to person, you have all the resources, so many people depend on you to get things done. And then once you take those things on, you may not be as confident enough to delegate it to someone else because you know that if they came to you, they know that it will get done. But as I continue to grow, and it did continue to challenge me, I had to choose which one I wanted to go with and what that looked like on the, on the other end. Meaning was it me accepting projects that once I started these projects I no longer wanted to do? And if that was the case, it's like now I've said yes to this project, I'm not giving it 100% and no, I no longer want to do it.
Courtney Daniels [00:27:50]:
And it shows up in your work, it really shows up in your work. And not only that does something to you on the inside, it really does something to who you are. Your energy, your flow on the inside when you're committing to something that your heart is not in. So just setting those boundaries have been for me as I continue to grow and mature have been a hard stop. If something is on my calendar again and someone is wanting to do a meeting, we're going to have to find another day. If it does overlap with the time that I already have scheduled for self care or one of my classes, or I have another appointment to be at. And I'm sorry, as a right. And learning the lingo, I think sometimes too as introverts, we feel we have to kind of like over share.
Courtney Daniels [00:28:41]:
Excuse me, over explain and maybe over share. A perfect example would be if someone wanted to schedule a meeting with you and you have an appointment where you have to go take your kid to the doctor. You don't have to say, oh, I'm not able to do that. I have to take my child to the doctor on that day. I'm not available on. What you then say is, I'm not available on this day. Would this provide another option? Would this day work instead, as opposed to feeling like you have to now share why you're not able to, you don't have to share why anything because you don't have to. What you do is allow the respect of saying, here are, here's another option that may be available.
Courtney Daniels [00:29:27]:
Will it work for you? And if not, then you look for another option. So I think that could be something to help with the creating of the boundaries. Again, it's not going to be easy, but once you begin to practice it and do it often, you will now know how to one, respect yourself, your time, and you set that standard for people to now start to begin to respect you.
David Hall [00:29:56]:
Yeah, and, and what you said there. So if this could be for business or for your personal life, you know, someone wants your time and it's just a matter that you're not available right then, you know, maybe even you just need to be alone for a bit, you know, and it's, it's just important to say, you know what, I can't right now, but let's do this. And at this time. And so you're not rejecting them, you're just honoring your boundaries. But you're saying, let's, let's work this out a different time. I think that's, that's key because otherwise if you just say no, it's like, okay, well, they don't want to meet with me or hang out with me or whatever it is.
Courtney Daniels [00:30:39]:
Absolutely. And it's it's important to create that. It's important what I've also learned to do for me as in the role of the president for the radio station, I've now put all the information that people may want to inquire about in a auto response so that, hey, you know what, so that we can not have 500 emails in our inbox, let me go ahead and give this information to you just so that you can have it at your fingertips and then from there you can connect with the person on whom you may be, you know, wanting to connect with. So it's also thinking forward, I mean, thinking ahead as well too. So how can I may eliminate questions that may come my way to prevent me from having to use my energy to now try to, you know, fight with the email systems and going back and forth and trying to figure things out.
David Hall [00:31:35]:
So, so I mean, if we're not doing the things that you're talking about, it definitely can lead to burning out. What do you say to the person who's feeling burned out?
Courtney Daniels [00:31:46]:
Oh my. I've. I've felt this way several times and just being there is, is not the best feeling in the world. And just to come from burnout, it takes a lot of energy. That one speaking for me, I didn't have. It takes a lot of say, being around people who can pour into you to continue to let you know that, hey, things happen. Now may, you may be in the down moment of the burnout, but how can when you stand up straight again, what is it that you're going to change so that you don't get back here? Is it creating those boundaries? Is it respecting your time? Does that mean you only take three meetings a week as, as opposed to ten meetings a week? Is it you stop checking your emails at 5 o' clock on the dot? Is it that you put your phone down? I mean, what are those, these things that you're looking at doing and making different so that you no longer come back to this place of burnout? So that's very important. It's just being able to identify those key factors of what got you here in the first place.
David Hall [00:33:11]:
So, Courtney, how did you decide to be an entrepreneur?
Courtney Daniels [00:33:15]:
You know, I think it was already instilled in me because I think about my grandmother who had a cafe that I grew up in. She would always babysit my sister and I there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. And, you know, just realizing that, hey, this was something that she owned, it was something that she was responsible for. She, she worked, but she also had this thing that she enjoyed doing, it was like a community connector where everyone in the community would come and just have a good time and fellowship on the weekend. And that's where I feel like a lot of people were able to just let go, you know, let go of the week. And she provided this space for them. So that was when, you know, I was may. I may have been, like three to four years old.
Courtney Daniels [00:34:01]:
And then as I got older, I would see my granddad. Dad, he had, like, a cab station that he owned, and we would be babysitting the cab station as well, too. So that's where my sister and I learned how to play pool. I wouldn't say I'm a pool shark, but I'm pretty good at it. And, you know, just looking at those and remembering those memories of where I was, it was always in something in a space where my family member owned that. So I felt it was just right for me to do it as well. And I just saw that the. The joy that they got from it.
Courtney Daniels [00:34:35]:
It was a connector for a lot of people, and everyone seemed to be happy. So I. That's why I wanted to be an entrepreneur myself and to be able to bring some of those qualities in reference to connecting and just build and help people. So. Yeah.
David Hall [00:34:54]:
And how have you helped other entrepreneurs?
Courtney Daniels [00:34:57]:
Well, I have worked with them currently as their permission coach. That's what I'm doing. The work that I'm doing now is very exciting because I have lived that experience myself to where? Moving to a different state, didn't know anyone, just kind of starting from ground zero and didn't know where the resources. And I gave myself permission to build what I wanted to see, to build my community, to build resources, to get out and learn and see what was around me. So I'm teaching other entrepreneurs to do that as well. You know, they may be stuck in seat number two, and they want to get to seat number one. And they've been helping people shine for all these years, and they have that yearning and passion, and I'm working with them to help them stand out front and just to be unapologetic about it.
David Hall [00:35:50]:
Yeah. What are some specific things you've helped.
Courtney Daniels [00:35:53]:
People with so coaching? So when I work with my clients, I've taken away me working with my clients. It's just giving them a sense of ease and a sense of peace where they can say, courtney, you know what? I trust you. What is it that I can just. How can I just let go? I no longer want to deal with this. I want to Be able to know that, you know, I can just give it over to you. And once they give that to me, I take care of whatever those task may be where, whether is you being the liaison with people who are, you know, fixing up the home or talking to the tax accountant or, you know, rearranging a trip or arranging a trip for a family of 10. So what does that look like? Because they've worked so hard in their career, they. They've earned that.
Courtney Daniels [00:36:42]:
They've earned a spot to rest. They've earned the opportunity to rest. And when they can find someone where they're comfortable with and trust them based on their. Based on what I bring to them, I think that's a pretty good feeling. And so I've been able to. To show other entrepreneurs the same thing. And it feels great to be able to. To work with them and see where they're stuck and help them to move forward in that way.
David Hall [00:37:13]:
Great. And one last question for you. How do you stay grounded and manage your energy, especially as an introvert?
Courtney Daniels [00:37:21]:
My boys, I have three boys, so they have really allowed me to. It's never a dull moment, and every moment is very interesting. And just the opportunity to be able to be present with them because I know that they're growing up, they're no longer babies, and soon they'll be, you know, out of the house and living on their own. So I just take that opportunity. Opportunity to. To be in. In their space, to enjoy them, to be at every soccer game, tennis match, basketball game, and that's what pretty. That's what keeps me grounded, and I really enjoy that.
David Hall [00:38:00]:
Yeah. It's so important to stay present with those in our lives, especially our kids and others.
Courtney Daniels [00:38:04]:
Yes.
David Hall [00:38:06]:
Is there any specific tips you have to stay present, you know, when you're with your family or your friends or when you need to be present?
Courtney Daniels [00:38:16]:
For me, I. One. One thing I've done is I've deleted all, pretty much all the social media off of my phone so that I don't feel the need to always have it in my hand. So if I need to check email or if I need to go on a platform, I have to log on to the computer. And in that moment, it makes me think about, hey, can this wait until tomorrow? Right. Or can this wait for later until we're done with dinner or we're done with the activities that I'm participating in as of right now? So just that one little step has been very helpful for me. It's just removing that social media from my phone. And because I At that point, I don't feel attached to or the need to respond right away.
David Hall [00:39:01]:
Yeah, that's a great tip. And you know, when you're trying to be present, definitely put down your phone because if you don't, it's sending the signal to the other person, you know, you're not that important to me, you know.
Courtney Daniels [00:39:15]:
Yes, yes, absolutely.
David Hall [00:39:18]:
Courtney, this has been a great conversation. Is there anything else you want to add today?
Courtney Daniels [00:39:23]:
No, I just, I enjoyed sharing tips and talking with you as you get to learn more about me and just being in this space. And thank you for having this space. For introverts, it can be challenging for some of us to talk as we are behind the scenes kind of people and to be very intentional about the energy that we share. So this has been a great opportunity and if anyone is wanting to learn more about me and the work that I do, you can find me on LinkedIn. I'm very active on LinkedIn and I have a website, courtneydaniel.com, first name, last name.com and you can follow me there as well. So yeah.
David Hall [00:40:02]:
All right, well, thanks again.
Courtney Daniels [00:40:04]:
Thank you. David. Thank you for having me.
David Hall [00:40:07]:
Thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate you. I hope you take the time to explore other episodes and learn from other amazing guests. Remember, if you're interested in getting to know yourself better, there is now a free type finder personality assessment on the Quiet and Strong website. This free assessment will give you a brief report including the four letter Myers Briggs code. I'll add a link in the show notes and I'd love to connect with you. Reach out to daviduyanstrong.com or check out the quietandstrong.com website which includes blog posts and links to social media for quiet and strong and much more. Send me topics or guests you would like to see on the show.
David Hall [00:40:47]:
So many great things about being an introvert and so we need those to be understood. Get to know your introverted strengths and needs and be strong.