Built on Audacity: How to Be Bold at Work and Take Worth-It Risks | Anne Marie Anderson

At its best, work is co-created. It’s not something companies hand out—it’s something employees help build by showing up fully and taking risks. But that kind of courage requires something we don’t talk about enough: audacity. Anne Marie Anderson has built her career on it. She’s worked in 82 countries, broken ground as one of ESPN’s first female sideline reporters, and navigated some of the most high-stakes environments in sports broadcasting. For Anne, audacity isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about dismantling doubt, trusting your voice, and building the kind of support system that helps you leap anyway.

In this episode, Anne and Dart talk about what makes someone bold enough to raise their hand, speak up, or swing big, even when failure is possible. They explore the four barriers to audacity, the difference between recklessness and worth-it risk, and how to build the kind of support system that helps people take meaningful leaps at work.

Anne Marie Anderson is a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and former sports broadcaster who has worked with ESPN, CBS, and NBC. She’s the author of Cultivating Audacity, and helps individuals and teams unlock courageous performance through mindset, resilience, and presence.

In this episode, Dart and Anne discuss:
- The four barriers that hold people back from bold action
- The difference between recklessness and worth-it risk
- How to turn rejection into resilience
- Why boldness is a habit, not a personality trait
- The “front row” mindset and how to build one
- The connection between belonging and courage
- Lessons from high-pressure moments in sports and broadcasting
- And other topics…

Anne Marie Anderson is a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and former ESPN broadcaster. She’s the author of Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win. Anne helps individuals and teams build confidence, take bold risks, and lead with authenticity. Through her 25+ year career in sports media and performance coaching, she has worked in over 80 countries and brings deep experience in high-stakes communication and personal growth.

Resources Mentioned:
Cultivating Audacity, by Anne Marie Anderson: https://cultivatingaudacity.com
Limitless, by Laura Gassner Otting: https://www.amazon.com/Limitless-Ignore-Everybody-Carve-your/dp/1940858763

Connect with Anne:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-anderson-3557ab39/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemarieandersontv/
Website: https://annemarieanderson.com

Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.