Where It All Began: My Own Intentional Transformation
I am living proof that transformation is possible for anyone. Twelve years ago, I left behind a career I had spent 28 years building. I didn’t know if I was ready to go out on my own and start a business,but deep down, I knew I was being called to something more. A close mentor once asked me, “Why would you give that value to somebody else?” In that moment, everything shifted. I made the scariest and best decision of my career.
Stepping away from the spotlight was not easy. I didn’t have a clear roadmap. But one question kept coming back to me: What if I’m meant to use my voice in a new way? That question inspired me to launch Brunner Communications, and later, Brunner Academy. It motivated me to write Dare to Own You and brought me to where I am today. It opened the door to a new chapter, one where I could build something meaningful on my own terms. It wasn’t just a pivot in my career, it was a personal transformation. I stopped waiting for the perfect time and said yes to the next chapter. That leap taught me what I now teach others: transformation doesn’t begin with certainty. It begins with choice.
At some point, we all reach a crossroads. That moment when we stand between where we are and where we want to be. It could be sparked by a major life event, or it might show up as a quiet inner nudge. But no matter how it appears, the invitation is always the same: will you step forward with intention? That choice is what I now call the beginning of your I.T. Factor™: Intentional Transformation. Not a change based on chance or pressure, but one rooted in clarity, courage, and alignment.
What Is the IT Factor?
The IT Factor is more than just when someone is able to pull off charisma or confidence. It’s about aligning your physical, mental, and relational self. This requires a powerful blend of executive presence, authenticity, and clarity. When you intentionally cultivate it, you lead with purpose, communicate with influence, and show up as your best self. You become magnetic not by performing, but by being grounded in who you are. You don’t need to be the loudest voice or have the most impressive credentials. Presence starts with showing up as your authentic self, with clarity, conviction, and courage.
We’ve all seen someone walk into a room and instantly command attention. But this isn’t because it’s something they’re born with, but rather because of their presence. That’s the IT Factor in action. When you let go of what no longer serves you, you can own your story and lead from a place of alignment. Commit to who you are and who you are becoming.
Transformation Doesn’t Just Happen, It’s a Choice.
What began as a leap of faith became my mission. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching hundreds of high-achieving professionals through their own defining transitions. I’m here to share that transformation is possible for you, too. You don’t need a crisis, burnout, or a major life change to reinvent yourself. All it takes is the choice to say yes. In my leadership coaching work, I often ask my clients: What identity are you still holding onto that no longer fits? For others, it’s a version of themselves that feels safe and comfortable. But the longer we resist change, the more we limit our own potential.
True transformation begins when we release what no longer serves us, when we stop measuring our worth by how we perform for others and start making choices rooted in authenticity, purpose, and presence. This is the work I am passionate about: helping people find the clarity and courage to lead with their full, aligned selves. More than a decade after founding Brunner Communications, I know this for sure: you don’t need permission to evolve. You just need to listen to that quiet voice inside and have the courage to follow it.
What Happens When You Say Yes to the Shift?
When you say yes, you stop waiting for permission or the perfect moment. You stop shrinking to fit roles that no longer serve you. You start living, leading, and communicating with clarity and confidence. I have experienced this shift myself. On the other side of that choice, I found something more valuable than certainty: alignment. Transformation doesn’t require you to know every step ahead. It simply asks you to trust yourself enough to take the next one.
That doesn’t mean you’ll never doubt yourself or always know what’s next. Life is unpredictable, and we can’t control everything. But you can take ownership of your mindset, presence, and voice in every new chapter. Saying yes to the shift won’t erase doubt or discomfort, but it will help you see yourself as someone who can create momentum and move forward.
The Invitation
If you’re considering your own transformation, know this: you don’t have to have it all figured out, and you don’t need to make a huge leap right away. What matters is that you start listening to that quiet voice inside, the one nudging you toward growth, alignment, and something more. The moment you choose to say yes, everything starts to shift. It might be slow to start, but whether you’re navigating a career transition, stepping into a new leadership role, or simply wanting to live more authentically, I invite you to pause and reflect: What would it look like to say yes to the next chapter with intention?
Transformation doesn’t start with a perfect plan. It starts with a single decision: to lead and live with presence, clarity, and courage. That decision is when you begin to embody your IT Factor.
Over a decade ago, I made that brave decision and founded Brunner Communications. Though it was a leap into the unknown, it was one of the most rewarding choices I’ve ever made. I didn’t have all the answers then, and I still don’t. But I was willing to trust myself, take the first step, and keep showing up.
Now it’s your turn. The next chapter is waiting, so lead it with intention.
If you enjoyed this blog post, here are some other resources you might enjoy:
My book, "Dare To Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams Into Your Next Chapter": The winner of two Feathered Quill Book awards, and an Book Excellence award, and recommended by Forbes in 2022 as “a teaching memoir”.
My podcast, the "Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner" podcast: An award-winning and internationally streamed show that highlights powerful stories of re-creation and reinvention from guests who have taken their life experiences, and used that knowledge to create their “next chapters” and live their best lives.
My work as a keynote speaker, executive coach and communication expert. You can read more about more of my services here.
Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?
Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in sharpening and developing top level business communication, executive presence, and public speaking skills. Our passionate team provides one-on-one executive business coaching, and runs specialized business workshops. Through customized training, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and build a marketable reputation.
