Confidence Isn’t Perfection—It’s Trusting Yourself to Grow

Contrary to popular belief, confidence isn’t about having all the answers or never making mistakes. True confidence is about trusting yourself to handle whatever comes your way. It’s about showing up as your authentic self and believing in your unique contributions, even when faced with challenges.

In leadership, confidence is essential. It allows you to make tough decisions, inspire your team, and take calculated risks that lead to growth and innovation. But achieving that level of self-assurance can be difficult when impostor syndrome whispers, “You’re not enough.”

The solution? Stop treating impostor syndrome as a barrier. Instead, see it as a signal that you’re growing beyond your comfort zone. Here are three expert-backed strategies to transform self-doubt into genuine confidence and thrive as a leader.

Learn how to silence self-doubt with 5 strategies to overcome impostor syndrome, build resilience, and lead with authenticity.

Impostor syndrome—a term you’ve likely heard—describes the relentless inner voice of self-doubt. It's not reserved for beginners or amateurs. Studies reveal that almost 70% of professionals and leaders, including CEOs, founders, and executives, have experienced impostor syndrome at some point. From questioning qualifications to fearing exposure as a “fraud,” it’s a universal challenge, particularly among women in leadership roles.

If this sounds familiar, know this: you’re not alone, and it doesn’t define your abilities. It’s simply a product of your inner critic, a voice meant to protect you from failure but that often holds you back from your true potential.

Each year, as the calendar winds down, I carve out time to reflect on the lessons and experiences that have shaped me. This year, that reflection has arrived later, but with deeper meaning. A period of illness recently reshaped my sense of time and clarity. Days blurred together, and I was forced to pause; there was no room for planning, thinking, or even simple reflection. Though unplanned, this pause gifted me an invaluable perspective—a renewed sense of resilience and purpose.

Today, as I feel a bit stronger today, I am reminded of the powerful transformation that can be born from adversity. My own leadership journey began in a similar space, a time marked by personal and professional exhaustion. A mystery illness sapped my energy, leaving me without the vitality, passion and purpose I once held. It’s from that moment that I found the clarity and strength to build anew. That turning point became the foundation of not just my professional philosophy, but my personal mission to live and lead authentically.

In today’s fast-paced business world, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is often dismissed as a "soft skill"—something nice to have but not essential for success. For women in leadership, especially those breaking ground in fields like STEM or entrepreneurship, this perception can be frustrating. The truth is, EQ is a game-changing business advantage—and it’s backed by science.

Whether you’re navigating high-stakes decisions, managing diverse teams, or scaling a startup, developing your Emotional Intelligence can elevate your leadership and drive lasting business success. Here’s why it matters, and how it can transform the way you lead.

In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, emotional intelligence (EQ) has become a key differentiator between good and great leadership. While technical expertise remains essential, the ability to navigate human emotions is now the true force driving innovation, collaboration, and success in the tech world. If you’re a tech leader, mastering both code and emotions could be your greatest competitive advantage.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Tech Leadership

"Out-of-control emotions can make smart people stupid," warns Daniel Goleman, a leading expert in emotional intelligence. His words highlight a fundamental truth: no matter how technically skilled you are, your ability to manage emotions—yours and others’—can significantly impact your leadership effectiveness.

The image of the brilliant but emotionally distant tech leader is becoming obsolete. Research shows that 90% of high performers in the workplace demonstrate high emotional intelligence, while only 20% of low performers possess this crucial skill. In other words, emotional intelligence is no longer just a "nice-to-have"; it's a must-have for leaders who aim to drive results in today’s high-pressure tech environments.

Let me tell you about a client (we'll call her Sarah) who used this practice to completely transform her leadership presence. Before we started working together, she was struggling with team dynamics and feeling constantly overwhelmed.

Here’s one of the simple but transformative practices we used:

1. Take two minutes before any important interaction.

2. Check in with your emotions (What am I feeling right now?).

3. Notice your energy level (Am I truly present and ready to engage?).

4. Ground yourself with mindful touch: Gently rub two fingers together as you take five deep breaths, feeling the texture and ridges of your fingertips with each breath.

5. Set a clear intention (What impact do I want to have in this moment?).

"I feel like I'm going crazy," Rosetta whispered. "Am I imagining these subtle dismissals?"

This moment is one I’ve seen hundreds of times with women at the top of their careers: successful, driven, and undeniably talented, yet still facing the invisible weight of gender bias. I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, you're not imagining it, you're not alone, and there is a way forward.

The Reality We Need to Talk About

Gender bias isn't just an external challenge—it's something that seeps into our internal landscape, affecting the way we view ourselves and our leadership abilities. The impact is profound, especially for women navigating traditionally male-dominated fields like tech, business, and STEM.

Here are a few of the psychological effects I’ve seen time and time again in my work with clients:

• Heightened anxiety in leadership situations

• Persistent self-doubt despite proven expertise

• Physical symptoms of chronic stress

Emotional exhaustion from constantly adapting to societal expectations

Let me tell you about Emily Langley (not her real name), a software engineer I worked with last year. She came to me frustrated, feeling stuck despite her incredible technical skills. "The research result is well documented," she told me, "but somehow I can't seem to get my ideas heard in meetings."

Does this sound familiar?

In the world of STEM, technical prowess alone isn’t enough to guarantee success, especially for women leaders. Increasingly, emotional intelligence (EQ) is emerging as a crucial factor for leadership growth, career satisfaction, and team success.  The past several years have proven that by ignoring EQ skills has hidden costs, especially for women navigating complex environments where they face unique challenges of gender-bias, communication with compassion and assertiveness, and work-life integration.  By developing EQ, women in STEM can unlock greater career resilience, build stronger teams and connections, and lead more effectively.

Let’s dive into why emotional intelligence is a must-have for women leaders and entrepreneurs in STEM and explore strategies that can make a lasting difference in your career.

elf-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. It’s about recognizing your emotions and understanding how they influence your thoughts, actions and decisions. As a woman leader in STEM, self-awareness is critical, especially when facing challenges like bias or imposter syndrome.

By being aware of your emotional triggers, whether it’s frustration when ideas are overlooked or anxiety in high-stakes situations, you gain the ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.  As one line manager shared, “Success is when I’ve learned to pause and give myself space to respond rather than react.”  This practice helps build confidence, clarity, and resilience.

Imagine being in a meeting where your ideas are dismissed.  How do you feel?  Perhaps you feel that familiar frustration rising up inside you. Instead of reacting immediately or withdrawing altogether, self-awareness allows you to pause, reflect on your emotions, and advocate for yourself with confidence.