“Molly isn’t just funny or engaging—she dispels the myths around how we see blind people, how we even think about people with disabilities.”—Trevor Noah
Diagnosed at age four with a rare degenerative eye disease, Molly began public speaking just a year later, sparking a lifelong mission to amplify the voices of the disability community. An entrepreneur and consultant named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30, she’s partnered with Fortune 500 companies like Google, Microsoft, Samsung, and P&G, helping them build more inclusive and innovative cultures. She’s spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the United Nations, and has been featured on The Today Show, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, in The Wall Street Journal, and many more.
Molly is also the author of the hotly anticipated new book Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice: a powerful memoir about identity, resilience, and what it truly means to be seen in a world that often overlooks difference.
Now, as Lavin’s newest exclusive speaker, she offers candid and energizing talks that blend vulnerability with business acumen and storytelling with actionable frameworks. She sat down with us this week to explain why we need authentic leadership more than ever, and how we can cultivate it.
We crave authenticity—even when we assume we don’t.
“We live in a world that fears vulnerability,” Molly tells Lavin. “But I think we crave it more than anything. In fact, we reward vulnerability—over 5 million people have joined me on my journey because of how authentic I’ve been with them. And that bridges gaps. It builds connections. It builds community. It’s the most important thing that we can do.”
Even when authenticity seems out of place, like in professional contexts and competitive workplaces, Molly argues that it’s a strength rather than a weakness. “That’s your secret weapon! When you get vulnerable, people will trust you more than they do anyone else on the team. And building connection with your perceived competitors is how you actually get ahead.”
Lead with your humanity, not your resume.
Once we recognize the power of authentic leadership, the next step is to understand how to cultivate it. Here, Molly offers a challenge: don’t be afraid to be seen as human.
“Start with baby steps,” she says. “You’ll see that nothing bad happens when you open up a bit more to your best friend, your partner, or your parent.” And from there, bring it into the workplace. Start connecting on a deeper level with your coworkers instead of settling for the same “how’s the weather” talk, and see how that deepens your teamwork on the projects that matter.
And then extend that authentic leadership to your clients. “Once clients trust us, they can go out and become advocates for us. They’re not just buying our product because it fits a need in their life. They’re buying our product because they see us and our shared humanity.”
Interested in hearing more from Molly?
Get in touch to learn more, and to book her to speak at your next event!
“Molly isn’t just funny or engaging—she dispels the myths around how we see blind people, how we even think about people with disabilities.”—Trevor Noah
Diagnosed at age four with a rare degenerative eye disease, Molly began public speaking just a year later, sparking a lifelong mission to amplify the voices of the disability community. An entrepreneur and consultant named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30, she’s partnered with Fortune 500 companies like Google, Microsoft, Samsung, and P&G, helping them build more inclusive and innovative cultures. She’s spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the United Nations, and has been featured on The Today Show, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, in The Wall Street Journal, and many more.
Molly is also the author of the hotly anticipated new book
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice: a powerful memoir about identity, resilience, and what it truly means to be seen in a world that often overlooks difference.
Now, as Lavin’s newest exclusive speaker, she offers candid and energizing talks that blend vulnerability with business acumen and storytelling with actionable frameworks. She sat down with us this week to explain why we need authentic leadership more than ever, and how we can cultivate it.
We crave authenticity—even when we assume we don’t.
“We live in a world that fears vulnerability,” Molly tells Lavin. “But I think we crave it more than anything. In fact, we reward vulnerability—over 5 million people have joined me on my journey because of how authentic I’ve been with them. And that bridges gaps. It builds connections. It builds community. It’s the most important thing that we can do.”
Even when authenticity seems out of place, like in professional contexts and competitive workplaces, Molly argues that it’s a strength rather than a weakness. “That’s your secret weapon! When you get vulnerable, people will trust you more than they do anyone else on the team. And building connection with your perceived competitors is how you actually get ahead.”
Lead with your humanity, not your resume.
Once we recognize the power of authentic leadership, the next step is to understand how to cultivate it. Here, Molly offers a challenge: don’t be afraid to be seen as human.
“Start with baby steps,” she says. “You’ll see that nothing bad happens when you open up a bit more to your best friend, your partner, or your parent.” And from there, bring it into the workplace. Start connecting on a deeper level with your coworkers instead of settling for the same “how’s the weather” talk, and see how that deepens your teamwork on the projects that matter.
And then extend that authentic leadership to your clients. “Once clients trust us, they can go out and become advocates for us. They’re not just buying our product because it fits a need in their life. They’re buying our product because they see us and our shared humanity.”
Interested in hearing more from Molly?
Get in touch to learn more, and to book her to speak at your next event!
