Lead from the Outside

Introduction

In "Lead from the Outside," Stacey Abrams shares her experiences and insights on how to become a leader and create change, especially for those who have been historically underrepresented in positions of power. As the first Black woman to be nominated by a major party for governor, Abrams knows firsthand the challenges faced by outsiders in leadership roles. This book offers practical advice on overcoming systemic inequality, embracing ambition, and navigating the path to leadership.

Abrams argues that the traditional narrative of success – work hard, and doors will open for you – doesn't apply equally to everyone. For women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others who have been historically marginalized, the playing field is far from level. However, Abrams believes that these differences can be a source of strength and offers guidance on how to use them to your advantage.

Embracing Ambition

One of the first steps on the path to leadership for outsiders is embracing ambition. Abrams shares a personal story about applying for the Rhodes Scholarship, despite her initial reluctance. She almost didn't apply, fearing failure and believing she wouldn't win as a Black woman from Mississippi. However, her college dean encouraged her, saying she was almost guaranteed to win if she got past the state selection.

Although Abrams didn't ultimately win the scholarship, the experience taught her a valuable lesson about widening the scope of her aspirations. It led her to attend Yale Law School, setting the course for her future career.

Abrams emphasizes the importance of permitting yourself to stretch beyond what feels safe. She advises readers to locate their ambition by asking themselves, "What do I want?" To help visualize success, Abrams shares a technique she's used since college: creating a spreadsheet of goals for the next 40 years. This exercise helps to make ambitions feel more tangible and achievable.

When setting goals, Abrams suggests focusing on the "why" rather than just the "what." Be willing to change course if needed. For example, one of Abrams's early goals was to become the mayor of Atlanta by age 35. However, she later realized that her true vision – to serve communities affected by racism and poverty – extended beyond just one city.

To identify your ambition, Abrams recommends writing down five things you would choose to do for the rest of your life. These can be anything, but they should reflect your passions rather than just what seems achievable. Passion is what drives us from setting goals to taking action.

Confronting Minority Fear

For minorities and outsiders, one of the biggest obstacles to realizing ambition is the belief that they're too "other" to be a leader. Abrams experienced this firsthand when running for governor of Georgia. Even her close friends and supporters doubted that the state was ready for a Black woman in that role.

This fear is complex and deeply rooted. It can manifest in various ways:

1. Fear of failing and making it harder for others like you to rise
2. Fear of succeeding and being alienated from your minority group
3. Internalized stereotypes leading to self-doubt

While these fears are real and not easily dismissed, Abrams suggests that you can control how you approach them. She shares her experience as minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives. In this role, she had to balance speaking truth to power without feeding into stereotypes about being too aggressive as a Black person or too shrill as a woman.

Abrams decided to lean on her strengths as a wordsmith, delivering powerful speeches that were incisive rather than loud. This approach allowed her to be authentic while still being effective in her role.

To confront your own fears, Abrams recommends:

1. Naming your fears explicitly
2. Considering how you can be your authentic self while still reading the room
3. Recognizing that you can't beat every stereotype, but you can show the value in your difference

As an exercise, write down your best and worst traits, giving examples of each in action. Then, consider what others might say are your best and worst traits. This self-reflection can help you understand how you're perceived and how to leverage your strengths.

Navigating Power Structures

Abrams argues that outsiders can navigate their way to power by hacking traditional systems. She shares her experience founding the New Georgia Project, a nonprofit aimed at registering eligible but unregistered voters of color in Georgia. This creative approach allowed her to make a significant impact despite having little formal power as a minority leader in the state legislature.

The key to hacking the system is recognizing that traditional paths to success often don't work for outsiders. For example, the return on investment for a four-year degree is significantly lower for Black families compared to white families. Many industries are also blocked by gatekeepers who hire primarily through referrals, despite public job postings.

To gain access, Abrams suggests:

1. Looking for hidden pathways to entry
2. Seeking out non-obvious connections, like alumni from your school who work at your target company
3. Joining groups specific to your identity, like "Lesbians Who Tech," which can provide networking opportunities
4. Getting your foot in the door through internships or volunteering, then going above and beyond to make a case for a permanent role

Abrams also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the difference between humility and self-doubt. Early in her career as a legislator, she would often deflect praise by saying "anyone could do it." A colleague warned her that if she kept downplaying her abilities, people would start to believe her. As an outsider, it's crucial to own your accomplishments and recognize your unique value.

Building a Support Network

Abrams stresses the importance of building a network of mentors and advisors to support your leadership journey. She shares her experience as a young deputy city attorney in Atlanta, where she initially struggled to gain her team's support. An unlikely mentor, the department's financial manager, helped her identify areas for improvement and taught her valuable leadership skills.

This experience taught Abrams that mentors can come from unexpected places and that different types of mentors serve different purposes. She suggests building a "board of advisors" that includes:

1. Sponsors: People who know you well enough to recommend you to others
2. Advisers: Those with whom you have a deeper relationship and who can advocate for you
3. Situational mentors: Short-term sounding boards for specific challenges
4. Peer mentors: Allies who understand your particular challenges and whom you can support in turn

Before seeking mentors, Abrams recommends doing some introspective work to ensure you're ready for the investment of their time. Examine your personality, strengths, and weaknesses. This self-awareness will help you forge authentic connections and process outside advice effectively.

When building your mentorship network, be intentional about what you're looking for. Different mentors can serve different purposes, so consider what kind of support you need at each stage of your career.

As a mentee, it's your responsibility to make the most of the mentorship. Abrams advises:

1. Setting up a schedule for check-ins rather than waiting for your mentor to reach out
2. Asking valuable questions that only they can answer
3. Being clear about what kind of help you need
4. Taking initiative in the relationship

Remember that only you truly know what your situation requires, so don't be afraid to ask for the specific support you need.

Overcoming Financial Obstacles

Abrams identifies money as one of the biggest obstacles to leadership for outsiders. She shares her personal experience of struggling with credit card debt despite a high-paying job after law school. This situation forced her to confront her financial failures and deepen her understanding of personal finance.

For many minorities and outsiders, systemic biases can undermine attempts to gain financial stability. Abrams offers several strategies to overcome these challenges:

1. Honestly assess your past financial missteps while acknowledging the barriers in your way
2. If you're in debt, make a concrete plan to climb out, even if it requires short-term sacrifices
3. Consider a side hustle to make extra cash
4. Be honest with yourself about how much financial support you can afford to give others
5. Seek support from a personal financial advisor or educate yourself through resources like "Personal Finance for Dummies"
6. Build financial fluency by volunteering for organizations that handle budgets or taking courses in financial management

For those fundraising for a campaign or startup, Abrams emphasizes the importance of asking for investment without hesitation. Women and people of color often question whether they're entitled to support, but most investors expect effort and a high probability of success, not a guaranteed return.

When seeking investment, be sure to know the details of your plan inside out, including how much money you need and exactly what it will fund. This level of preparation will boost your credibility and increase your chances of success.

Learning from Failure

Abrams stresses the importance of preparing for both success and failure, and learning how to handle being wrong. She shares a personal story from her early career as a tax attorney, where she made a significant error in research for an important client. Despite the temptation to hide her mistake, she chose to admit it to her superior, demonstrating the importance of taking responsibility for errors.

For minorities and outsiders, there's often extra pressure to be right all the time due to higher standards and scrutiny. However, Abrams argues that it's better to take responsibility and be honest about mistakes, as covering them up can have worse long-term consequences.

Effective leaders know how to admit when they're wrong and, when they're unsure, couple an "I don't know" with a plan to find out. Using the information gained from mistakes to learn and improve is a crucial skill for leadership.

Abrams encourages outsiders to dare to be bold, even when they're told to "stay in their lane" or "not rock the boat." Taking risks inevitably leads to some failures, but these experiences can be transformative and lead to growth.

To practice making the most of your mistakes, Abrams suggests:

1. Writing down three occasions where you've taken risks
2. Analyzing the consequences of these risks and whether you'd make the same choice again
3. Reflecting on instances where you were tempted to pretend you knew the answer to something
4. Considering how you handled these situations and what happens when you admit to not knowing versus pretending to know

Managing Time and Priorities

Abrams rejects the concept of "work-life balance," arguing that it's unrealistic and can lead to self-loathing when not achieved. Instead, she proposes a "Work-Life Jenga" approach, where you strategically manage your time and priorities like moves in the block-stacking game.

The Work-Life Jenga concept acknowledges that life often interferes with carefully made plans. It encourages you to make the best possible strategic moves to keep your life "tower" from crashing down, and if it does fall, to build it again.

To implement the Work-Life Jenga approach, Abrams suggests:

1. Identify your true priorities: These should animate your mind and heart, not be based on judgment or fear

2. Categorize tasks based on importance and urgency, adapting President Eisenhower's method:

   • Gotta Do: Crucial tasks that must happen right now
   • Need to Do: Important tasks to accomplish early to build goodwill
   • Oughta Do: Tasks that require urgency due to others' needs
   • Might Get Around To: Less important or urgent tasks

3. Focus on what you're good at and be willing to delegate: Ask yourself if you absolutely must be the person to get a job done

To help identify your priorities, Abrams recommends writing newspaper headlines about your future self, three to five years from now and seven to ten years from now. This exercise can help clarify what truly matters to you and what you want to achieve.

Creating Change with Limited Resources

Abrams emphasizes that creating change is possible even with limited resources. In fact, the limitations imposed on outsiders and minorities can often spark creative breakthroughs.

She shares an example from her time in the Georgia legislature, where she and her fellow Democrats were vastly outnumbered. By creatively using House rules to extend debate time, they were able to obstruct and ultimately defeat some controversial bills.

To acquire power and make real change, Abrams suggests:

1. Be creative with your resources: Inventory your assets, which might include information, access, familiarity with a situation, or the power to withdraw participation
2. Don't let your position limit your sphere of influence: Go beyond your assigned duties and take initiative when you see opportunities
3. Clarify what constitutes a win for you: Accept that gaining power is often done incrementally
4. Adapt your mission to the circumstances: Think about what's possible in the short term and how small victories can add up to larger ones
5. Use power mapping: Identify who's in charge and how your interactions with them might help you reach your goals

Abrams encourages readers to channel her spreadsheet method and map their ambition. Create a document with five columns:

1. What you want
2. Why you want it
3. Strategies you can use to attain it
4. What help you need and who can help you
5. When you hope to accomplish it

This exercise can help clarify your goals and create a roadmap for achieving them.

The Importance of Representation

Throughout the book, Abrams emphasizes the importance of representation in leadership positions. As a Black woman who has broken numerous barriers in her career, she understands firsthand the impact that diverse leadership can have.

Representation matters for several reasons:

1. It provides role models for others from underrepresented groups
2. It brings diverse perspectives to decision-making processes
3. It challenges stereotypes and broadens perceptions of what leadership looks like
4. It can lead to more inclusive policies and practices

Abrams encourages readers from underrepresented groups to see themselves as potential leaders, even if they don't see many examples in their field. By stepping into leadership roles, they can pave the way for others and create lasting change.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Many outsiders and minorities struggle with imposter syndrome – the feeling that they don't belong or aren't qualified for their positions, despite evidence to the contrary. Abrams addresses this common challenge and offers strategies for overcoming it:

1. Recognize that imposter syndrome is common, especially among high achievers
2. Keep a record of your accomplishments to remind yourself of your capabilities
3. Reframe negative self-talk into more realistic and positive statements
4. Seek support from mentors and peers who can offer perspective and encouragement
5. Remember that feeling uncertain doesn't mean you're unqualified

Abrams shares her own experiences with self-doubt and how she's learned to push through these feelings to pursue her goals. She encourages readers to do the same, reminding them that their unique perspectives and experiences are valuable assets in leadership roles.

The Power of Persistence

A recurring theme in "Lead from the Outside" is the importance of persistence in the face of setbacks and challenges. Abrams's own career is a testament to this principle, from her early defeat in the Rhodes Scholarship competition to her narrow loss in the Georgia gubernatorial race.

Abrams emphasizes that change often happens slowly and requires sustained effort. She encourages readers to:

1. Set both short-term and long-term goals
2. Celebrate small victories along the way
3. Learn from setbacks and use them as opportunities for growth
4. Stay committed to your vision, even when progress seems slow
5. Build resilience by developing a strong support network and practicing self-care

By persisting in the face of obstacles, outsiders can gradually break down barriers and create lasting change.

The Role of Authenticity in Leadership

Abrams stresses the importance of authenticity in leadership, particularly for outsiders who may feel pressure to conform to traditional leadership stereotypes. She argues that trying to fit into a mold that doesn't suit you is not only exhausting but also less effective than embracing your unique qualities.

To lead authentically, Abrams suggests:

1. Identifying your core values and staying true to them
2. Embracing your background and experiences as sources of strength
3. Being honest about your limitations and seeking help when needed
4. Communicating openly and transparently with your team
5. Leading with empathy and understanding for others' experiences

By being authentic, leaders can build trust, inspire others, and create more inclusive and effective organizations.

The Importance of Civic Engagement

Given her background in politics and voter registration efforts, Abrams naturally emphasizes the importance of civic engagement throughout the book. She argues that participating in the democratic process is crucial for creating change, especially for underrepresented groups.

Abrams encourages readers to:

1. Stay informed about local and national issues
2. Vote in all elections, not just high-profile ones
3. Engage with local government and attend community meetings
4. Consider running for office or supporting candidates who share your values
5. Volunteer for causes you care about

By actively participating in civic life, outsiders can have a significant impact on policies and decisions that affect their communities.

Balancing Pragmatism and Idealism

Throughout "Lead from the Outside," Abrams strikes a balance between pragmatism and idealism. She encourages readers to dream big and pursue ambitious goals, but also to be strategic and realistic about the steps needed to achieve those goals.

This balance is reflected in her advice to:

1. Set bold, long-term visions
2. Break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps
3. Be willing to compromise on tactics while staying true to core values
4. Recognize incremental progress as valuable
5. Stay flexible and adapt strategies as circumstances change

By combining idealistic vision with pragmatic action, outsiders can work effectively towards creating meaningful change.

The Power of Storytelling

Abrams emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a leadership tool throughout the book. She uses her own experiences and those of others to illustrate key points, demonstrating the power of narrative in conveying ideas and inspiring action.

For outsiders seeking to lead and create change, Abrams suggests:

1. Developing your personal story and understanding how it relates to your leadership goals
2. Using storytelling to connect with others and build empathy
3. Framing issues and goals in ways that resonate with your audience
4. Sharing stories of both successes and failures to demonstrate authenticity and resilience
5. Using narrative to paint a compelling vision of the future you're working towards

By harnessing the power of storytelling, leaders can inspire, persuade, and mobilize others to join their cause.

Conclusion: Embracing the Outsider Perspective

In concluding "Lead from the Outside," Abrams reiterates that being an outsider, while challenging, can also be a source of strength and innovation in leadership. The unique perspectives and experiences of those who have been historically underrepresented in positions of power can lead to new solutions and more inclusive decision-making.

Abrams encourages readers to:

1. Embrace their outsider status rather than trying to hide it
2. Use their unique experiences and perspectives as assets in problem-solving
3. Seek out and create opportunities for leadership, even when the path isn't clear
4. Build coalitions with other outsiders and allies to create change
5. Persist in the face of setbacks, knowing that progress often comes slowly but steadily

By following these principles and the strategies outlined throughout the book, Abrams believes that outsiders can not only succeed as leaders but also create meaningful, lasting change in their organizations and communities.

The book ends with a call to action, urging readers to take the first steps on their leadership journey, whatever that may look like for them. Whether it's running for office, starting a business, leading a community organization, or simply speaking up more in their current roles, Abrams encourages outsiders to step into their power and make their voices heard.

"Lead from the Outside" is ultimately a message of hope and empowerment. It acknowledges the very real challenges faced by those who don't fit the traditional leadership mold, but it also provides practical strategies for overcoming these obstacles and creating change. By sharing her own experiences and hard-won wisdom, Stacey Abrams offers a roadmap for outsiders to not just navigate existing power structures, but to reshape them for the better.