Stacey Abrams is known to many as a political leader, voting rights advocate, and bestselling author. But in her book Lead from the Outside (originally published as Minority Leader), Abrams does something more personal: She pulls back the curtain on what it takes to pursue leadership as someone who doesn’t fit the traditional mold. Part memoir, part leadership manual, the book offers practical advice grounded in Abrams’s own experience breaking barriers.

I’ll focus on three of her insights: defining and growing ambition, taming self-doubt, and rethinking what it means to have a mentor.

Ambition: Permission to Stretch

Abrams redefines ambition not as a quest for perfection, but as the courage to expand our own boundaries. She writes, “Ambition means pushing past simply what we are good at. The goal is to stretch ourselves, to explore our potential, even when we know we won’t be first or the best.”

That perspective is liberating. Too often, we hesitate to pursue new roles or projects because we don’t feel completely qualified or ready. Abrams argues that the act of reaching matters more than the certainty of success.

Just as importantly, she challenges us to act boldly once we know what we want: When you decide what you want and why you want it, take action immediately. Do not wait for an invitation to act.

In other words, leadership isn’t about waiting until every credential is earned or every doubt is erased—it’s about claiming opportunities and moving forward.

Taming Self-Doubt: Stepping Out of Our Own Way

If ambition urges us to stretch, self-doubt is the force that holds us back. Abrams candidly acknowledges that the loudest critic is often the one inside our own head. She observes:

That line hits home for many of us. How often do we downplay our abilities under the guise of modesty, when in fact we’re shielding ourselves from risk? Abrams’s reminder is that hesitation is not the same as humility. Real humility is rooted in truth—acknowledging what we know, what we can learn, and what others can teach us. Self-doubt, by contrast, diminishes what we bring to the table before anyone else has the chance to see it.

The call here is to separate fear from fact. When opportunities come our way, we can practice asking: Am I saying no because I’m truly unprepared or because I’m afraid of stepping forward?

Mentors: Expanding the Definition

The third lesson Abrams offers is a fresh take on mentorship. While many leadership books emphasize the importance of finding a single guiding mentor, Abrams challenges us to think more broadly. She identifies four distinct types of mentors:

This expanded framework is powerful because it removes the pressure of finding “the one” perfect mentor. Instead, it invites us to build a circle of guidance. Depending on where we are in our journey, we may need different people to help us learn, stretch, and succeed.

It also reminds us that we can—and should—be mentors ourselves. Sometimes we’re the sponsor. Other times, we’re the peer. Leadership is less about titles and more about the ongoing exchange of support and knowledge.

A Call to Action

Abrams’s Lead from the Outside is full of practical wisdom, but at its heart, it’s an invitation to those who have ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or uncertain. Her message is clear: Leadership isn’t reserved for a select few. It belongs to anyone willing to embrace ambition, quiet self-doubt, and build a community of mentors.

Abrams’s story proves that leadership is not about waiting to be chosen. It’s about choosing yourself and then moving forward with courage, clarity, and support.