Who Is the Red Chair Woman?

“To know ourselves, we have to brave enough to see ourselves.” - S. Leppky

The Red Chair Woman is not a title, a role, or a job description. She is a way of being.

She is the woman who dares to pause in a world that keeps rushing, to sit still with herself and listen closely to what is true. She tells the truth about what she wants and who she is becoming—and she chooses to lead from that place, at work, at home, and in her community.

She understands that genuine leadership begins within. To lead others with integrity, she must first lead herself. And to lead herself, she must be willing to spend time with herself—courageously, consistently, and with compassion.

Here are six defining traits of the Red Chair Woman, followed by a reflection question. Let this be your invitation to pause and listen deeply.

1. She does her inner work.
   She’s curious about her thoughts, beliefs, and patterns and is brave enough to let go of what no longer serves her.
   Reflection: What old story about yourself might be ready to be rewritten?

2. She practices reflection.
   She takes time to pause, notice, and learn from what is happening within and around her.
   Reflection: How often in your day do you truly pause and listen to yourself?

3. She knows the impact she wants to have.
   She has a sense of purpose and is intentional about how she shows up to create that impact.
   Reflection: If you were fully honest, what impact do you most want to have in the world right now?

4. She values relationships.
   She understands that leadership is relational and nurtures communities built on mutual respect and trust.
   Reflection: Who are the people you trust and how intentionally do you invest in those relationships?

5. She faces her insecurities.
   She isn’t free of doubt; she simply refuses to let it quietly run her life.
   Reflection: Where is fear quietly steering your decisions today?

6. She balances intention with openness.
   She sets direction, yet stays present and receptive to what is emerging.
   Reflection: Where might you loosen your grip and allow something new to unfold?

As you read this, where do you already see the Red Chair Woman in yourself?

Where is she inviting you to grow?

Using concepts from my upcoming book Who You Are Matters: A Woman’s Guide to Making Brave Decisions, I am offering a new Red Chair experience, starting this June.

Join Debra and come home to yourself.

Red Chair didn’t just change me - it brought me back home to myself.

Debra Jonasson-Young - Executive Director, Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship at Asper School of Business. The University of Manitoba. MBA. ICD.D