Rejection Tried to Write My Story—But I Rewrote It
I’ll never forget the day rejection tried to define my future.
It was a chilly December afternoon at Central Michigan University, and I had just finished the morning performance of a doubleheader with the women’s chorus. The day was packed: an early concert, a lunch break, and then an evening performance.
By the time the first concert ended, I was starving. I asked friends if they had room in their cars for lunch, but one by one, I heard the same answer: “No, sorry.”
I felt like Forrest Gump on his first day of school—everywhere I turned, the message was clear: No room for you.
So there I was, sitting alone in my purple minivan, still dressed in my choir gown and imitation Timberland boots. Johnny Cash was playing on the stereo, the soundtrack to my moment of rejection.
But here’s the thing: Even in that moment, I was prepared. On the passenger seat next to me was a folder of résumés. I was graduating in May, and I had promised myself I would be ready for any opportunity, no matter how unexpected.
Little did I know, the opportunity of a lifetime was about to pull out of the parking space next to me.
Opportunity Favors the Aware
I noticed the white Escalade before I saw the driver. It was the car back in 2004—the kind of vehicle that belonged to someone important.
Then I recognized the face.
He was the COO of Pulte Homes, a major company that was experiencing tremendous growth.
I had seen his picture on PowerPoint slides around campus, promoting a speaking event I had wanted to attend but had to miss due to a test.
In that moment, my heart started racing. This was a chance. But do I take it? Do I walk up to a stranger’s car?
I hesitated. It wasn’t normal. It wasn’t safe. It wasn’t done.
But then I thought about my day. I had already faced rejection. What was one more “no” at this point? And besides, I had my résumés ready.
So I made a decision.
I stepped out of my minivan, walked up to his Escalade, and knocked on his window.
For a second, I thought he might drive away. But to my surprise, he rolled down the window.
I smiled, handed him my résumé, and said, “Hi, I’m Moneesa. I admire the work Pulte Homes does, and I’d love the chance to bring my skills to your team.”
He looked at me, nodded, and said, “Thank you, I’ll have my team take a look.” Then he drove away.
The whole interaction lasted less than a minute.
But it changed everything.
Audacity Opens Doors
A few days later, I got a call. The COO had taken my résumé back to his team. He had simply told them to “give her a shot.” His team interpreted that as, hire her.
And just like that, my first corporate job—at Pulte Homes headquarters—was secured.
But this story isn’t about luck. It’s about what happens when preparation meets audacity.
So let’s talk about what this means for leaders, teams, and organizations striving for success.
Leadership Lessons from The Audacious Ask
1. Rejection Isn’t the End—It’s a Redirection
That day, I could have let rejection define my story. I could have stayed in my car, listening to Johnny Cash, feeling sorry for myself. But I chose a different path.
In business, rejection happens all the time. You lose a client. Your team resists a new initiative. A strategy falls flat. But rejection isn’t the final chapter—it’s an opportunity to rethink, reframe, and re-engage.
As leaders, our job isn’t to avoid rejection; it’s to move through it with resilience.
2. Awareness Creates Opportunities
I recognized the COO that day because I paid attention. I had seen his face before and made the connection when the opportunity arose.
The best leaders do the same. They read the room. They listen deeply. They observe market shifts before they happen.
If you want to create new opportunities for yourself or your business, start by sharpening your awareness.
3. Audacity Opens Doors
Knocking on that COO’s window was unconventional. It wasn’t comfortable. But it worked.
Bold moves often lead to breakthroughs. Whether it’s speaking up in a high-stakes meeting, taking a risk on an innovative idea, or making the tough decision no one else wants to make—audacity is often the difference between stagnation and success.
Your “Audacious Ask” Moment
This isn’t just my story.
It’s a reminder that every leader, every business, every team faces moments where they have to decide:
Do I stay where I am, or do I take the bold step forward?
At Intrepida Consulting, we work with organizations that are ready to step out of their comfort zones—leaders who want to build stronger teams, make better decisions, and create lasting impact.
So, what’s your Audacious Ask?
What’s the bold move you’ve been hesitating to make?
Because the truth is, it’s not about how many times you get rejected. It’s about the one bold move that could change everything.
Let’s make it happen.
Schedule a discovery call today.