INTRODUCTION 1 ‘So ....... what’s with the zebra theme?’ 2 It’s time for fundamental change 5 Ooooops 8 Embrace the zigzags 9 How to get the most out of this book … 12 What a wonderful time to be a woman 13 The starfish story 14 PART I: D.A.R.E. Now is the time to … 18 First up … 19 1. DISRUPT ... THE STATUS QUO 21 Disruption is not a dirty word 24 Disrupt the status quo 27 One such haunting image 30 It’s time to change the game 33 Equality matters 35 Get off the bargain rack and raise your value 39 The facts 40 Why not you? 40 Why choose to be ordinary? 44 A challenge for you 45 2. ASPIRE ... TO YOUR GREATEST VERSION 49 Unleash your aspirations 52 Smashing those fears 54 Become a game changer 70 Girls can aspire to do anything 73 Say no to kitchen bitchin’ 76 Be the change you want to see 77 Your journey … your aspirations … your life 79 3. REACH ... FOR YOUR GOALS 85 The resilience ride 88 Dig deeply 89 Push forward 92 Jump the hurdles 96 Time is on your side 100 Rise up from the knocks 105 Ride the zigzags 107 Keep reaching higher 111 4. EVOLVE ... KEEP LEARNING AND GROWING 121 Change is not as scary as not changing 124 Changing the game 126 Learn from the experts 132 Chapters of a change champion 138 Be a game changer 142 Leadership is not about position 144 Evolve at any age or stage 151 Self-care is absolutely crucial 152 PART II: HOW TO UNLEASH YOUR FULL-ARSE VERSION TO BECOME A GAME-CHANGING WOMAN 5. GET READY TO CHANGE THE GAME … 161 Step into the arena – let’s do this 165 Rules are simply guidelines 169 6. BE AN INDIVIDUAL 173 Individuality rocks! 176 My seven-year-old awakening 177 Ready to shine? 179 Prepare to go deep and narrow 180 The four crappy ‘C’ constrictors 181 Deep dive – inner core workout 186 Dive a little deeper 189 7. BE INDEPENDENT 213 Independent strength! 216 Navigating the mumsy stuff 218 Forget the fairy tales 221 How to become a strong, independent woman 222 Women in the leadership arena 227 8. BE AN INITIATOR 237 Initiate change! 240 Agility matters 241 Resilience matters 244 Decisions, decisions 247 Intuition matters 249 Initiate action on equality 258 9. BE AN INFLUENCER 265 Infl uence matters! 268 Trust matters 271 Infl uential reading 272 Your brand – your influential mark 278 10. BE INVOLVED 287 Involvement counts! 290 Involved at any age, stage or phase 292 Wise and intentional involvement 298 Acknowledgments 307 Want more? Connect with Jilinda 309 Need a speaker? Engage Jilinda to speak 311 Record your thoughts, ideas and actions 313
WHY half-arse your way through life? WHY choose to blend in … when you were born to stand out and rock your unique stripes, your individuality? WHY choose to play small … when you were born to become independently strong, resilient, and responsible? WHY choose to accept the ordinary … when you were born to initiate extraordinary things and change the status-quo? WHY stay silent … when you were born with a brain, a heart, and a voice for your ideas and opinions to influence others? WHY just stand there, watch and wait in hope … when you were born to contribute, to be involved in leading change? Rock Your Stripes is a frank, fierce, full-arse femoir; part insightful memoir, infused with feminism, lively spirited, deliberately confronting, and purposefully instructional. Packed full of real and raw stories, reflective exercises, inspirational quotes, and practical tips, it unapologetically urges women to step up, stand out, speak up, and courageously lead change. From blank canvas to colourful ‘change champion’, Jilinda shares valuable insights gained along a zigzag pathway of daring to disrupt conservative confines and smashing the need to compare, copy, compete or conform. Expect bucket loads of passion, straight talk, and a playful splash of individual quirkiness, as she inspires you to … Unleash your full-arse version .
Known for her vibrant, passionate personality, and straight-shooting commentary, Jilinda Lee is not afraid to challenge the status quo. She doesn't try to blend in with the ordinary and is not inspired by the average, nor does she believe in playing small to suit others. Instead, she purposefully rocks individuality, espouses authenticity, and dares to disrupt for greater-good outcomes.
After three decades of richly diverse leadership experiences in both the private and public sectors, Jilinda made the courageous jump to establish a consulting and coaching practice with her partner, its core mission to develop dynamic leaders and raise the leadership bar, both in quality and quantity.
Now an internationally accredited leadership expert, 'change champion' facilitator and go-to coach for leaders across Australia, Jilinda is driven to help others be authentic, genuine, emotionally intelligent and engaging leaders. Leaders many wish they had. Her on-point blogs, articles, commentary and videos have been featured in a range of media, and her energetic keynote presentations are packed with real and raw stories that provoke thought and inspire change.
Jilinda values knowledge and embraces life-long learning, both formal and informal through varied experiences. She holds a master's degree in management, the globally recognised Chartered Managers designation, as well as accreditations in behavioural science, coaching, and facilitation. To quench her 'need to know' thirst, she constantly researches and reads.
As a proud feminist and passionate advocate for greater equality and diversity, Jilinda founded the ElevateHER Leadership Community, and facilitates Lean In coaching circles (part of the global foundation LeanIn.org), workshops, programs, and retreats. She is an active member and supporter of numerous women's groups, agencies, and forums, including Australian Local Government Women's Association, Australian Gender Equality Council, Women and Leadership Australia, Women's Agenda, and recent initiatives such as #100daysforchange, #honourawomen, and #womenvote.
There is no doubt that Jilinda's high-energy sweet spot is fuelled and fired up when combining her two great passions: leadership and feminism.
When not travelling to deliver projects and presentations, Jilinda re-energises by soaking up the warm tropical sunshine, breathing in sea breezes, taking long beach walks and swimming, from her home base in Cairns, Australia. She is an avid believer in flexible work practices and healthy lifestyle choices. Jilinda's personal mission is to help women rock their own stripes, rock the world, and change the game.
