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For years, women were told, “Be confident. Speak up. Believe in yourself.” And we listened. We did the inner work. We learned to own our value, silence our self-doubt, and stand in our strength.
But now a new challenge has emerged…one we don’t speak about nearly enough:
Confidence has risen. Action has not.
Recent research shows women today report stronger confidence than in previous generations. Yet we’re still:a
- Less likely to apply for a role unless we meet nearly 100% of the qualifications
- Less likely to self-nominate for stretch positions
- Less likely to ask directly for the promotion, the seat or the opportunity
Translation?
Confidence is growing on the inside…but not always showing up on the outside.
And that’s not a skill gap. That’s a system and conditioning gap.
Confidence alone can create a false sense of progress…and that’s the confidence trap.
We tell ourselves, “I know I can do it. When the time is right, I’ll step forward.”
Meanwhile, others, often less experienced, less prepared and far less in their heads, claim opportunities we are more than ready for.
- Why does this still happen, even among high-achieving women? Because for decades, women were rewarded for:
Being prepared, not visible - Being humble, not vocal
- Being grateful, not ambitions
- Being perfect, not in progress
Confidence helped us rewrite the internal narrative. Now, courage and action must rewrite the external one.
Confidence Is Step One. Courage Is Step Two.
Confidence says, “I belong here.” Action says, “I’ll go first.”
Confidence says, “I know I can.” Action says, “Put me in the room and watch me.”
Women don’t lose opportunities because they aren’t capable. They lose them because they don’t claim them loudly, quickly and visibly enough.
Here’s where action matters most:
- Ask for the role …before you think you’re “fully ready”
- Step into stretch assignments without overthinking
- Say your goals out loud to sponsors, leaders and decision makers
- Own the room when you speak…don’t shrink, soften or over-explain
- Be seen instead of waiting to be discovered
Opportunity doesn’t float down. It gets claimed.
If you know me, I love to provide steps to do whatever we are talking about. So, here are steps to turn confidence into bold action:
Apply before you’re 100% ready-readiness grows after the leap, not before it
Make on bold ask every quarter-promotion, project, pay, participation
Replace permission with declaration-stop asking, “May I?” and start saying, “Here’s what I will lead next.”
Say yes publicly, figure it out privately. Men do this unapologetically, and the world applauds it.
Bold action isn’t reckless.
It’s decisive. Intentional. Strategic.
The Trailblazer’s Takeaway
Confidence was the first evolution. Action is the second.
Women no longer need to prove they are capable. That chapter is closed. The work now is about claiming, asking, stepping forward and taking up the space we’ve already earned.
Because in leadership… Confidence is the spark. Action is the acceleration.
