Nobody Will Come
to Rescue You
By Silvia Christmann
Introduce yourself! Who are you?
Hi I’m Silvia Christmann, an executive and business coach who’s spent the last 12 years working with leaders and their teams in fast-paced environments. My mission is to maximize global impact by curating human potential. I love working with people who dare to care, challenge dated systems, and transform the status quo.
I was born in Germany and raised across Europe. I have worked in more than seven international markets and am currently based in NYC. I am a frequent speaker on the “Future of Work” at conferences around the world, I’ve taught leadership workshops at Columbia University and Fortune 100 companies, and have been featured in INC., Forbes and Entrepreneur magazine.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Trust your gut. Especially as women, most paths and rules we are supposed to follow were created by men, for men in a world of men. They can easily lead you astray. Develop a strong relationship with yourself and know how to tune inward for answers.
Have you ever had anyone doubt you? How did that make you feel?
Everyone, All the time! I have been called everything from stupid to delusional – yet I have continued on. Sometimes it makes me feel annoyed, most of the time determined.
What do you love most about yourself?
So much, I am strong, I am bold, I am smart and I am successful, I am unapologetic about it.
Do you remember a specific time you overcame adversity?
Being a single woman in your thirties who doesn’t surrender to societal expectation and forges her own way means I am overcoming this every day.
What message do you think every woman should hear?
No one is coming to save you. Nobody will come to rescue you, take care of you, or make sure you are safe! And that’s totally fine! You don’t need it. You are all that you need.
The problem is that sometimes you forget to believe in yourself. Sometimes you let other people’s rules and limited thinking tell you that something is impossible. Those voices are far louder for us women than for any man walking this earth because we are told this from a very young age; which makes us vulnerable to limited thinking.
It’s also because we get criticized more harshly, always having to defend what we do, what we’re worth, how we feel, and what we are capable of. And that’s okay. You already know this so you can rise above it. You know when to walk the other way. You have learned when not to listen. You know not to stand in anyone else’s shadow. You were born to excel in a time like this! You are just getting started.
And the best part: Everything you need is already in you. Inside of you is the vision, the grit, the tenacity, the grace, the fire, and the determination you need to go ALL OUT this year. All you need to do is tap into it. Surround yourself with people who make you feel capable and magical. And go for it. The time is now.
Don’t forget! You illuminate this world. Forge your own path, and remember that other people’s perceived limitations, do not define you one bit.
Stay close to the ones who get it.
