“Leadership is easy to talk about and much harder to live. Maranda brings a rare combination of candor, resilience, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to this book. Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud will resonate with anyone who has ever had to find their voice in rooms that were not built for them.”

—Nick Mehta, Co-founder and former CEO, Gainsight

“Having known Maranda for years as a peer and friend, I've always been in awe of her quiet confidence, her no-nonsense leadership, and the big heart underneath it all. She's the kind of leader you assume was just born this way, until you learn where she actually came from. Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud connects those dots. It traces the line from a kid who didn't have running water to a woman who learned she belonged in rooms she once thought were reserved for other people, and does so without asking for pity or a handout along the way. This book sets the stage for what real leadership and real belonging actually look like. It will make you feel seen, and it will force you to trust yourself. If you've ever carried self-doubt, felt like you didn't belong, or made yourself small to survive a room, Maranda's story will remind you that it was never the truth and we're all capable of something much bigger than we ever believed was possible.”

—Kristi Faltorusso, CEO and principal advisor

“The best leaders have all been through something that shaped their character. Maranda’s story of a modest upbringing and her path to executive leadership is inspiring. This book is a must-read for any current or aspiring business leader.”

—Jay Nathan, CEO, Balboa

“Maranda Dziekonski’s lovely book describes her improbable voyage from an impoverished childhood in a small Midwestern town to the executive suite in Silicon Valley. Her journey is filled with insights for leaders and for anyone who aspires to find a way to move forward with bravery and confidence. I am so grateful that she had the courage to share her story.”

—Professor Vijay Mehrotra, University of San Francisco School of Management

“I was drawn to Maranda for her thought leadership and passion for hiking mountains. What I didn't expect was to bond so deeply over shared childhood turmoil that required self-reliance, determination, and reinvention. Maranda exudes executive power, but anyone who spends more than five minutes with her will immediately connect with her vulnerability. How did this incredible woman go from living in a shack without a door to the boardroom? Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud is that story. Maranda's vivid writing style made me feel like I was right alongside her as she went from childhood poverty to building fridges to achieving 980 percent to target while working as a single mom to becoming an executive. Her story reminded me how adversity forges the resilience and grit needed to survive whatever life throws at you. But what struck me was how Maranda didn't stop at survival. By prioritizing self-reflection, compassion and candor, Maranda crafted what thriving as a leader meant in HER terms. For anyone who has lived through hardship or is actively moving through it, this book is for you.”

—Anne Pao, Founder and CEO, Ignite

“This is the kind of story that actually motivates you. Work hard, take ownership, build your way to where you want to go. That message is so needed in a world that's obsessed with shortcuts. Maranda's living proof that as long as you're willing to do the work, you're never stuck in a job, in an environment, or in some old way of operating. Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud is the give-it-to-me-straight reminder every leader needs right now.”

—Carly Agar, customer success career coach

“Maranda Dziekonski is one of those rare leaders who inspires not only through what she achieves, but through how she gets there. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, self-belief, and the courage to keep moving forward, even when the path is far from straightforward. What makes Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud so compelling is its honesty. Maranda doesn’t shy away from the challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt that shaped her. Instead, she shares them with authenticity—a powerful reminder that growth is rarely linear and that our circumstances do not define our potential. As someone who came from a low-income background, I have always found Maranda’s story and work ethic deeply inspiring. She embodies what is possible through grit, mentorship, hard work, and a willingness to keep learning. Her leadership has impacted countless people, myself included, and her story serves as a reminder that we are capable of far more than we often give ourselves credit for. This book is more than a leadership memoir. It is an honest, deeply human reflection on finding your voice, trusting yourself, and learning to lead with both strength and authenticity. 

Anyone who has ever questioned whether they belong will find encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration within these pages.”

—Jomilsa Sousa, Founder of the Success Studio

“Maranda's fiercely brave yet kind style of leadership resonates with me, and this book shows how she found that balance the hard way. It leaves you rethinking your self-doubt and gives you the courage to say the hard parts out loud, just as Maranda intends.”

—Jyo Shukla, Director, Digital and AI, Raptiv, and author of Customer Success Mindset

“Maranda has a remarkable ability to say out loud the things so many of us are thinking but rarely share. She leads with courage, authenticity, and honesty, making people feel seen while challenging them to grow. Saying the Hard Parts Out Loud is a powerful reminder that our greatest growth often comes from the moments that test us most. A thoughtful and inspiring reflection on leadership, resilience, and belonging.”

—Priscila Fletcher, Chief of Staff at Gradual and Founder of Latinos in Success

“Maranda is one of the rare leaders who acts on her values when it actually costs something. Direct, warm, and unwilling to pretend. I've watched her walk away from a great job because it conflicted with what she believed. That's the backbone behind every word of this book.”

—Leah Tharin, CPGO at Fyxer AI, Growth Mom