~4 minute read.
Our guest blogger today is Zoe Raftopoulos who shares her story of “the bravery to explore different paths until you discover what truly resonates with you;” a great story of inspiration as we head into 2025.
In her own words …
When Dina first approached me to write about leading with courage, I felt stumped. I haven’t taken any ‘huge’ leaps, changes or typically courageous acts. So much so that I questioned my level of courage. Then I remembered I got my ears pierced at 20 and went to a Pilates class alone – now that’s courage!
I thought of those around me; friends who have moved overseas, grandparents who immigrated by boat to a totally foreign country, my mum who, although being one of the most social people on the planet, embraced her new chapter of independence. I felt like I didn’t have anything worthy of sharing. Although courage appears frequently in our day-to-day lives, I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to really acknowledge it, therefore not recognising my own achievements and times I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone.
But chatting with a friend one night she stated, “you go into strangers‘ houses everyday and try to make a difference to their life, that’s pretty courageous”. I work as an occupational therapist (OT) in the community sector. I support those with physical and intellectual disabilities, but predominantly work people who have psychosocial disabilities. I’d say this area of OT is my passion. I visit people in their homes, acknowledging their courage to let a complete stranger into their world. Some have forensic records, others have a colourful history with substance use and most have significant challenges with suicidality. While people around me often say things like, “I don’t understand how you do that,” or “I could never do your job,” these comments remind me that I’ve made a conscious choice to lead with courage, and encourage those I work with to do the same.
As a graduate, I quickly learned that no amount of placements or life experience can fully prepare you for the emotional toll of this work. The depth of empathy required can lead to compassion fatigue, and witnessing the heart-wrenching realities of my clients’ lives can be devastating. However, within these challenges lies a unique opportunity for courage. In my role, I am often met with resistance. Clients might be sceptical of my intentions or unwilling to trust, and overcoming that barrier requires courage. It involves showing up with authenticity, embracing discomfort, and fostering an environment where healing can begin. Each interaction becomes a small act of bravery – a commitment to believe in the potential of every person, regardless of their past.
” … I’ve made a conscious choice to lead with courage, and encourage those I work with to do the same.”
Courage can take many forms. It can be the bravery of a client taking their first step toward building their capacity and independence or the resilience they show in sharing their story. Witnessing these moments reinforces my belief that courage isn’t just about individual acts; it’s also about creating a culture of courage within our communities. Throughout my journey as an OT, I’ve come to recognise my own acts of courage. I’ve learned to balance caring for others while also prioritising my own well-being. While I wish I could change the lives of my clients and solve all their problems, I know that I can’t – and they don’t expect me to. Embracing this reality has taught me the importance of working within my scope and capabilities. By letting go of the need to control every outcome, I can focus on being the best version of myself for my clients, my partner, my friends, and my family. In this way, I continue to develop a culture of courage not only for those I serve but also within myself.
” … within these challenges lies a unique opportunity for courage.”
What this has taught me is that courage doesn’t always show up in dramatic moments; sometimes, it reveals itself in the careers we choose and the dreams we chase. Recognising this takes time, effort, and a lot of “what ifs.” Ultimately, it requires the bravery to explore different paths until you discover what truly resonates with you.
I am so fortunate to be surrounded by lifelong friends and their wonderful children. Zoe is one of these wonderful children who I also consider a lifelong friend.
Zoe brings many strengths to all she does – love, authenticity, teamwork, kindness, bravery and humour are some of her strengths which are evident in her story of courage above. On reading Zoe’s story, the first paragraph had me smiling as her authenticity and humour shine through in her words. The second paragraph had me smiling even more broadly at her recognition of others. And then my smile became one of feeling privileged to read about her – what she does, how she does it, and what it means to her. Her compassion and empathy, her care and kindness are evident in every single word. Zoe is evident in every word of her story.
Zoe also brings wisdom; there are so many words of wisdom in Zoe’s story that I wanted to highlight each of them as quotes. Her story demonstrates awareness, understanding and insight.
Thank you for sharing your story with me Zoe, and for trusting me to share it with others.
I feel honoured that you have written for us and especially honoured to have you in my life. I look forward to hearing more of your stories of courage and your wisdom,
Dindi xx (@CourageChick)
If you’d like to connect further with Zoe, she can be connected via LinkedIn or via zoerafto05@gmail.com.
Leading with courage 
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