Blooming My Garden
What Creating My ILDP Did for Me
I’ve always lived by the motto “Bloom where you are planted.” To me, that means when you have a firm foundation—when your roots run deep in love, resilience, and identity—everything else has the potential to grow. You might not be in the perfect environment, but you can still flourish if the soil is strong enough.
As a young, first-generation woman, I’ve always clung tightly to that belief. I’ve seen the impact of a strong foundation in my own life and the lives of those around me. It’s what helped me push through challenges and keep striving. For a long time, I thought that foundation alone was enough. If I stayed grounded, if I worked hard, growth would follow. But in the aftermath of the pandemic—and all the shifts it brought to both my personal and professional life—I started to feel stuck. I had to ask myself: What if I’ve stopped growing because I’m only standing on the foundation and not actually nurturing my garden beyond its roots?
The truth is, I’ve worn many hats in my life—first-generation college graduate, eldest daughter, self-starter. That meant learning how to navigate spaces with no roadmap. It meant facing doors that were closed before I even had the tools or access to try to open them. It’s been a journey of trial and error, moments of doubt, and feeling like I had to figure it all out on my own. But even in those moments of uncertainty, there was always a voice inside me saying: If not me, then who? My little sister watches everything I do, and I know I’m not just growing for me—I’m growing for her. I’m growing for my family, for my community, and for the younger version of myself who didn’t know where she fit in.
That desire to grow is what led me to You Can’t Fail. I came across the program through an alumna on LinkedIn during a time when I felt disconnected from my sense of purpose. I questioned whether I was truly a leader—or if I was just surviving. I wanted to explore those questions in a space with other women who were feeling the same way.
The phrase “unexpected leaders” stopped me in my tracks. It gave language to something I had always felt but never fully named. I’ve never seen myself as the loudest voice in the room or the one with the most traditional résumé. But I’ve led in my own way—through perseverance, quiet strength, and showing up even when it’s hard. For the first time, I felt like a program was speaking directly to me and affirming that leadership looks different on all of us.
Joining You Can’t Fail wasn’t just about learning—it was about remembering who I am. And at that moment, I truly felt like I was failing. I felt lost in my career, uncertain about the path ahead, and isolated in my experiences. But something in me still whispered: Try. Show up. Bloom.
Planting the Seeds: My ILDP
That’s where my Individual Leadership Development Plan (ILDP) came in.
When I first heard the term ILDP, I’ll be honest—I was a little intimidated. It sounded super formal and rigid, and I’ve never been someone who thrives with detailed, step-by-step plans. Most of my goals live in my journal, and a lot of the time, they stay there. It’s not because I don’t care—it’s just that turning vision into action can feel really overwhelming. So the idea of mapping out my leadership journey in a “plan” felt like a lot.
But things started to shift after our session with Tiffany Alvarez Smith on Leadership Presentation. Hearing Tiffany share her story, how she came into her own as a leader, and the honesty with which she talked about her path—it really gave me hope. She reminded me that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way. It can be rooted in your experiences, in the small wins, and even in the moments where you feel unsure. That really resonated with me.
After that session, I started looking at my ILDP differently. I wasn’t trying to force myself into a box or create a perfect plan—I just wanted to reflect on my journey and take intentional steps forward. Tiffany’s tips and the way she spoke about owning your story helped me feel more grounded and ready to name the kind of leader I am becoming.
At the same time, I was also participating in the EmpoweringHER Professional Development and Mental Wellness Series with Chanel Frias, and that experience poured into me in a completely different way. We had such open, powerful conversations—about imposter syndrome, about the pressure to always be the “strong Black woman,” about how hard it can be to give yourself grace. There were moments in those sessions where I felt like, Wait… have I been treating myself like a guest star in my own life? Like I’d been waiting for permission to take up space when really, I should’ve been claiming it all along.
What made EmpoweringHER so special was being surrounded by other women of color who were also figuring it out, also navigating doubt, and also committed to lifting each other up. There was something deeply healing about being in that space, being honest, and being reminded that we don’t have to carry everything alone.
So between Tiffany’s session and EmpoweringHER, my perspective shifted. My ILDP stopped feeling like a task and started feeling like a declaration. It’s not about perfection—it’s about truth, growth, and showing up for myself in a new way. It’s a reminder that I am a leader, even if I don’t always fit the traditional mold.
And this time, I’m not shrinking. I’m blooming—and I’m doing it on my own terms.
Watering the Roots: My Turning Point
As someone who’s type A and loves a good brainstorming session, I’ve always enjoyed diving into ideas, jotting down goals, and creating plans. But when it came to my Individual Leadership Development Plan (ILDP), I found myself stuck for a while. Sure, I had some professional goals in mind, but how was I supposed to outline the steps that would get me to my ultimate leadership goal? I knew I needed to focus on improving and growing, but it felt like I was just going through the motions.
That’s when my amazing mentor, Emily, and I sat down to talk through my ILDP. I was fully prepared, of course, with slides full of bullet points and ideas. But Emily looked at me, paused, and said, “Okay, but where’s the story of you? Who is LieChelle? You can’t just put words on a slide—show us who you are.” And, wow, hearing that really hit home.
I think I had been thinking about my leadership journey in a very structured, almost robotic way. I figured it had to be about what I could offer to a job or an organization, what would look good on paper. But Emily reminded me that leadership is more than that. It’s about who I am as a person, not just what I do. Leadership comes from the way you show up, your character, and the growth you go through along the way. It’s about embracing yourself and all the parts that make you, you. That moment was a game-changer for me.
After that conversation, I really started to reflect on what I wanted my leadership journey to look like—and more importantly, how I wanted to show up for myself. My ILDP went from being just a professional roadmap to a more holistic look at where I am in my life. I realized that leadership doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to fit a specific mold. It’s about who you are becoming, and that’s a journey that never looks the same for everyone.
I spent some time thinking about what kind of leader I want to be. What are the things I need to work on? One of the things I knew I had to prioritize was building my confidence. Confidence has always been a struggle for me—sometimes I doubt myself and question if I’m really good enough for the things I want to do. But I realized that in order to grow, I needed to invest in myself. That meant setting aside time for personal development, attending trainings, and pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone. Leadership isn’t just about being there for others—it’s about making sure you’re taking care of yourself, too.
The title of my ILDP ended up being Standing Tall: Embracing My Leadership through Confidence. It felt like the perfect reflection of what I wanted to embrace: the idea of growing into a version of myself that I’m proud of, someone who stands tall in her own power. And honestly, the progress I’ve made since starting my You Can’t Fail journey has been incredible. It’s not just about the professional skills I’ve developed—it’s also been about recognizing how far I’ve come and tapping into the leadership potential I already had within me.
But here’s the thing: a huge part of my growth has come from the amazing women I’ve met along the way. From our Zoom calls to meeting in person at our graduation, the support, encouragement, and real talk we’ve shared have been invaluable. It’s one thing to learn from a program, but it’s a whole different experience to bond with women who are walking similar paths and have such powerful insights to offer. We’ve all been able to share our struggles, celebrate our wins, and pour into each other in ways that feel authentic and healing.
I truly hope the connections I’ve made with these women continue to grow. There’s something about being surrounded by like-minded, driven women of color that makes you feel seen, heard, and uplifted. The You Can’t Fail experience has been one of the best investments in myself I could have made, and it’s one I’ll continue to build on as I grow into the leader I know I’m meant to be.
The Bloom
I’m genuinely so grateful for my experience with You Can’t Fail. It’s hard to put into words how deeply this journey has shaped me—not just as a leader or professional, but as a woman navigating growth, purpose, and everything in between. Becoming part of this powerful network of women gave me far more than I expected. It’s been affirming, grounding, and liberating all at once.
There’s a phrase Gwen and Melody often shared with us: “The ancestors have their hands on our backs.” That sentiment lives with me now. I carry it into moments of uncertainty, clarity, and every quiet pause in between. It reminds me that I’m not walking alone—that the path I’m on is part of a greater legacy. And with the women I’ve met through You Can’t Fail, that presence and support feels even more real.
This wasn’t just a chapter—it was a shift. A grounding. A blooming. The connections I’ve made, the stories we’ve shared, and the growth we’ve embraced have given me deeper roots and stronger wings. And as I keep growing—tending to my own garden—I’m doing so with more confidence, clarity, and community than ever before.
Programs like You Can’t Fail don’t just develop leaders—they restore them.
At a time when burnout, imposter syndrome, and racial fatigue are all too real—especially for women of color—this fellowship offered what so many professional spaces don’t: healing, humanity, and wholeness.
I wasn’t just asked, “What do you want to do?” I was asked:
“Who are you becoming?”
And with care, community, and intention—that question changed everything.
Thank you to everyone who supports You Can’t Fail. Your investment doesn’t just support a program—it nurtures a garden. And we are blooming because of it.
About the Author
LieChelle Robinson Hernandez, You Can’t Fail Leadership Learning Community 2024 Alumna, is a nonprofit professional, writer, and advocate with a deep passion for equity, storytelling, and community care. She is a first-generation college graduate with an MPA and a background in education policy, nonprofit management, and civic engagement. With experience leading programs and supporting mission-driven organizations, LieChelle is committed to creating spaces where people—especially women of color—feel seen, heard, and empowered. She believes in the power of showing up authentically, leading with heart, and blooming in your own time.
