When No One Was Watching

 When No One Was Watching

A Spoken Word Piece for Women Who Lead in Silence
By NitaL | She Thrives with Inspiration

They only cheer when the lights hit.
When the title’s announced.
When the mic is passed,
and the spotlight circles the stage
like it was always meant for you.

But you—
You were leading long before the world noticed.
Before the promotion.
Before the email signature said “Director.”
Before the table even had a seat for you.

You showed up early.
Stayed late.
Poured into others when you were running on empty.
You rose in the dark,
before the applause,
before the praise,
before anyone called you strong.

You were never waiting to be seen—
you were building something unshakable
while no one was watching.

To say I admire you?
That wouldn’t scratch the surface.
Because admiration is too soft a word
for someone who leads
with her hands,
with her heart,
with her silence full of purpose.

You are proof
that greatness is forged—not found—
in the in-between moments.
The unrecorded, the unpaid, the unseen.

You are the one
who speaks truth in meetings
even when your voice shakes.
Who nurtures and protects,
even when your name is last on the list.
Who keeps showing up—
not for recognition—
but because purpose calls louder than applause.

And when you questioned yourself—
you still rose.
When you were overlooked—
you still led.
When your spirit whispered, “You can rest,”
but the world said, “Not yet”—
you kept going.

You didn’t just lead with strategy.
You led with soul.
With fire in your belly,
and legacy in your bones.
You carried your dreams in your voice,
and still—you gave more.

This isn’t your final round.
This is just another rise.
So breathe deep.
Step forward.
Because when the world finally sees
what you’ve built in silence—

They’ll call it leadership.
But we’ll know:
it started long ago,
in the dark,
when no one was watching.