Faye McDonough

Have you ever felt like you had more to offer but weren’t quite sure how to step into that bigger version of yourself? That’s exactly where I found myself in early 2024, scrolling through LinkedIn recommendations that would eventually lead me to one of the most transformative learning experiences of my career.

The usual alchemy of social media led me to Lauren Currie OBE, UPFRONT, and the course “How to Show Yourself and Your Work to the World.” What started as curiosity became a journey that has fundamentally changed how I show up professionally and personally.

My UPFRONT Journey: From Solo Learner to Community Leader

Since purchasing Lauren’s course in January 2024, attending the UPFRONT & Centre conference later that year, and graduating from their flagship 6-week online experience (the Bond) twice (once solo and most recently as part of Charity Bond 4 with 16 women from Abbey People where I’m a Board Trustee), I’ve been on a thrillingly uncomfortable, transformative journey.

UPFRONT is on a mission to create a world where low confidence and lack of community are never reasons a woman doesn’t pursue her ambitions. After experiencing their programmes twice, I can honestly say they’re delivering on that mission in ways that have surprised even me.

The second time around reminded me of some powerful truths: imposter syndrome is actually the feeling of growth (make those feelings your friend), to say “woo hoo” out loud when you make a mistake and learn to love making them, and that preparation sensitive to what you bring truly is the key to confident public speaking.

Your reflection: When did you last feel that uncomfortable excitement that signals you’re growing?

Did I Really Need This? My relationship with confidence is complicated

I’d held significant positions in large companies, led teams through transformative changes in performance-driven environments, and presented to hundreds of people whilst navigating the demands of a young family, a full-time career, and experiencing redundancy twice.

I know that confidence isn’t linear. For me, periods of high confidence have sat alongside moments of challenge and self-doubt.

But I knew I had more to offer. There was room to be more myself and to pursue what I truly wanted to do before it was too late.

What I was definitely experiencing though was a lack of community. I love working in a smaller business for many reasons, but fewer people means fewer peers and fewer opportunities to build the social relationships and support networks that make work enjoyable. New ways of working, which limit face-to-face interaction, left me missing connection with like-minded, honest, and open change-makers.

I wanted to change that, and I’m so glad I did.

My Return on Investment: Sky-High and Still Growing

My return on investment from learning with UPFRONT has been exceptional. I’ve learned to write, publish, share generously, take uncomfortable action, and find my authentic voice, all whilst building a community that supports me and my work.

Five has a nice ring to it, but I honestly learned too much to shorten this to five reasons! 

Here are six reasons you and your team should invest too.

1. I’ve Built a Daily Writing Habit (To Lead Well, You Need to Communicate Well)

Writing helps you think more clearly, communicate effectively, and learn quickly. UPFRONT encourages you to write in a way that suits you: whether that’s an impressive technical memo, a beautiful poem, journaling your daily experiences, or starting a newsletter. I’ve learned to write unfiltered about myself, my passions, and my work. The more I write, the more I want to. 

Following graduation, I set up a bi-weekly Writing Accountability session where I meet with fellow Bond graduates to write. We open the call by sharing briefly what we plan to do, then write on mute knowing fellow bonders are doing the same. We recap for five minutes at the end to share how we’ve got on. It’s been a great addition to my week and nine months on, we’re still meeting. 

I was reminded of the power of writing last year when a challenging message about the volume of work required to deliver a tech change landed well with my team. I have no doubt this success stemmed from the writing I did beforehand: organising my thoughts, sketching a plan, and creating supportive material for the team.

Clarity of thought and communication is a game-changer for managing team transitions, and I’ve experienced the benefits.

Your reflection: How could improving your writing transform your leadership communication?

2. I’ve Learned to Click ‘Post’ More Frequently (Visibility Creates Opportunities)

For about five years, I’ve been one of the 1% of LinkedIn users who post regularly. However, some of my posts had been agonised over, written and rewritten multiple times. Drafts sat unpublished out of fear of what someone I met at an event in the late 2000s might think!

UPFRONT challenged me to consider who truly needs to hear what I have to say, which has allowed me to post with less fear. The transformation in my LinkedIn metrics has been remarkable: a 75,000% increase in engagements and a 14,500% increase in impressions. But that’s not all – I’ve seen so many wins from greater visibility (more on that here)

Most importantly, the strength and depth of my relationships with people I know in the real world have improved. I’m receiving more referrals to businesses and charities that might be a good fit, along with introductions to meaningful collaboration opportunities and networks.

3. I’ve Built a Community (My World Is Bigger Now)

The Bond experience is global, and the diversity of perspectives, along with the common ground shared with women of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences from around the world, is incredible.

I have a broader understanding of intersectionality, diversity and privilege and if I face a leadership challenge in the future, I know someone who can help me,

I’ve connected with industry peers and like-minded individuals in social impact, as well as freelancers and business owners in fields new to me. I’ve increased my network by over 500 people, but this isn’t just a numbers game – I could send any of them a request for help or support.

Lauren promised I’d make at least one friend for life, and I ticked that box in April 2024. After that, it’s been all upside; I have more people in my corner than I did before.

Your reflection: Who in your network could you reach out to for support or collaboration this week?

4. I’ve Learned to Share My Ideas (Generosity Creates Connection)

UPFRONT is founded on the spirit of generosity. In both Bond experiences, I’ve witnessed the most generous sharing of best practices, cheerleading, and exchanging of ideas and feedback. Lauren reminds us constantly that there are enough accolades, ideas, and success for everyone.

In the last year, I’ve taken that spirit into coaching conversations with my team, mentoring sessions, and work experience programmes. When you share freely, it helps others and often those closest to you. Visibility of your ideas within your business is just as important as visibility outside.

Every single post or article I’ve written has led to a thank you message from a reader explaining how it had helped them or made them think. That’s been over 100 people since I started this journey – that might not sound like a big number but that’s a lot more than zero!

5. I Take Action When It’s Uncomfortable (Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone)

The Bond experience challenges you to do the stuff you’re really uncomfortable with. This article is an example in action (writing about the process of building confidence requires vulnerability, but I’m doing it – and on my own website – yikes!).

Every module of the Bond course is supported by actions to take. It’s very clear throughout that this is where the value lies. You learn by doing, and sometimes that means reflecting on something you’d rather not think about.

I’ve said yes to scary things like asking questions to panels at industry events, contributing my thoughts to research pieces on leadership, providing insight into my experiences of social finance, turning up for my first LinkedIn Live and starting to write here, my new online home. 

What’s next? I’m trying the 30-day videoing challenge (recording myself answering “tell me about yourself” and practising introducing my value using everything I’ve learned from the “All About You” module).

Your reflection: What uncomfortable action could you take this week that would move you closer to your goals?

6. I’ve Found My Authentic Voice (And You Can Too)

Having experienced the benefits of visibility and the increase in opportunities this leads to, my second Bond focused more on preparation for public speaking. 

It’s almost 15 years since I left Manchester for the East of England, but I still find standing out with my northern tones and vowels uncomfortable. I’m finally, with the Bond’s help, starting to embrace my accent as a very important part of who I am. 

I discovered I actually have different voices. One exercise encourages you to try them out – what a revelation it was to find out the variety in my voices for different situations (I’ll be using my gut voice more often!)

The recommended reading and in particular, Viv Groskop‘s “How to Own the Room” and “Happy High Status” approach (with its focus on a wide range of excellent female speakers) has helped me to appreciate my own style and difference. 

This was a lightbulb moment the second time around and I’ll definitely be coming back to it. 

Your reflection: What aspects of your authentic voice have you been hiding or downplaying?

Questions for Your Own Reflection

1. Where in your professional life do you feel like you have more to offer but aren’t sure how to step into it?
2. What would change in your work if you had a stronger, more supportive professional community?
3. How could improving your communication (whether through writing, speaking, or sharing ideas) transform your leadership impact?
4. What’s one uncomfortable action you’ve been avoiding that could create new opportunities?
5. If you invested in your own development with the same intentionality you invest in your team’s growth, what would you choose to work on?
6. What aspects of your authentic voice or presentation style have you been hiding or downplaying?

It Remains the Most Powerful Learning I’ve Ever Done

After two Bond experiences and over a year of putting these lessons into practice, UPFRONT remains the most powerful learning and development I’ve ever done (and I’ve done a lot!)  It has had a massive impact on me, both professionally and personally.

The beauty of the programme is that it meets you where you are. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, find your voice, expand your network, or take your career to the next level, the combination of practical tools, supportive community, and gentle-but-firm challenges creates transformation that lasts.

If you’re interested in learning more, Lauren’s short course is available through Domestika, and Bond 10 details can be found here. There are also workplace programmes if you want to take the journey with colleagues.

What would change in your work and life if you invested in showing yourself and your work to the world? For me, it’s been everything (and it’s just the beginning).

Have you ever invested in development that surprised you with its impact? What made the difference for you? I’d love to hear.