Stop Settling: Raising Your Standards in Business and Life
Welcome back to Superheroes in Heels! I’m Kimberley Borgens, your host, and today I want to tackle a topic that hits close to home—not just for me, but for so many strong, capable women out there carving out their place in business and in life. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to be subtly talked out of what you really want? Maybe it’s a little suggestion that what you’re aiming for is “too much,” or a nudge that you should just settle for something “good enough”—whether that’s a career move, a client, or even something as simple as your next car.
In this episode, I open up about a recent experience: my beloved convertible was totaled in a car accident, and as I started searching for a replacement, everyone around me seemed to have an opinion. Suggestions rolled in about buying something smaller, or less flashy, or more practical—something that didn’t quite match my standards, my needs, or my desires. I even found myself rationalizing a new choice to accommodate others, putting their comfort ahead of my own happiness. It took a conversation with my own son to realize I was on the verge of settling for less than I deserved.
This got me thinking about all the places we as women, and especially as leaders, lower our standards for the sake of convenience, harmony, or just to avoid seeming “too much.” It happens in business when we accept clients who drain us or undervalue us, partner with vendors who don’t deliver, or make excuses for team members who won’t rise to the occasion. Every time we settle, we chip away at our own confidence and lower our baseline for what we believe we deserve.
Today, I’m sharing bold, actionable advice about why it’s so important to hold the line when it comes to your standards—and how being flexible or accommodating often comes at a much higher cost than we realize. We’ll talk about the power of command presence, why it’s essential not to shrink or over-explain when you’re offered something that doesn’t meet your requirements, and practical ways to raise your standards in both your personal and professional life.
If you’re ready to stop negotiating against yourself, to honor your own needs, and to step into the confident leadership you’re meant for, this episode is for you. Let’s challenge the status quo, stop settling for less, and lift each other up to the standards we truly deserve. Are you ready to rise, lead, and own the room? Let’s jump in!
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Until next time, keep showing up, standing tall, and wearing those heels like the superhero you are.
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