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International Women’s Day celebrates strength, resilience, and self-worth…the foundation of confidence, leadership, and success. This year, we had the privilege of gathering insights from a group of extraordinary women and men, each sharing their unique perspective on what self-worth means and how it shapes their lives.
While we featured condensed versions of some of their responses (due to space) in our Special Edition Newsletter, https://bit.ly/x-formulanewsletter, we knew their full reflections deserved to be shared. Here, we bring you the unedited wisdom of these women…powerful, honest and deeply inspiring.
As you read through their words, we invite you to reflect on your own journey and consider: How do you define your own self-worth? Because when women recognize their worth, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
What self-worth means to me: The concept that an individual considers themselves worthy is definitely connected to their success in life. I used the word “life” intentionally because one cannot have self-worth at work but not in their private life and vice versa. This is a disconnect that indicates there is not a complete sense of self-worth for the individual. For me, it means that I understand my value and impact and that it has meaning for others. This is consistent whether I am volunteering at an organization, identifying needs for my business or recognizing what needs there are in my personal life.
On my journey, I struggled in my early career to recognize my impact on the business and my colleagues. Once I became clear on my own worth, that impact became easier to understand and accept. It no longer mattered to me what others thought my worth was; I was clear on what I wanted to accomplish in all my goals. Recognizing my self-worth empowered me to be fearless in achieving what I wanted to achieve – goals both large and small. I have made mistakes, but this sense of self-worth helps me recover from those mistakes faster.
Self-worth, to me, has never been defined by titles or accolades. Instead, it is measured by the impact I can have on others. The last line of a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson has guided me throughout my journey: “If one life has breathed easier because I have lived, that is to succeed.”
This belief has shaped my career, my leadership, and my life. Sharing knowledge, mentoring, speaking, and educating have all been ways for me to contribute meaningfully. Over the years, my company’s logo has evolved into a personal philosophy: “Who will you inspire today?”—a daily reminder that true success lies in giving, uplifting others, and making a difference.
Self-worth, to me, is the intrinsic belief that I am valuable, capable, and deserving of respect and success, irrespective of external validations or accomplishments. It is the compass that guides my decisions, the shield against self-doubt, and the foundation of my confidence. As a woman navigating the complexities of business, leadership, and life, self-worth has been both a teacher and a transformative force.
In the early stages of my journey, my self-worth often wavered, influenced by societal expectations and a desire to meet others’ standards. However, I soon realized that tying my value to other opinions was a losing battle. True self-worth comes from within-it’s the quiet yet unwavering belief in my abilities and the understanding that setbacks do not diminish my value.
In business, self-worth has allowed me to take risks, assert my ideas, and embrace challenges. It’s the reason I can walk into a conference room, advocate for my vision, and trust in my decisions, even when they deviate from the norm. In leadership, self-worth empowers me to lead with authenticity, empathy, and resilience, inspiring others while staying grounded in my principles.
On a personal level, self-worth has shaped how I balance my roles, prioritize self-care, and set boundaries. It’s a reminder that my worth is not tied to how much I achieve or how well I juggle life’s demands—it’s inherent and unchanging.
Ultimately, self-worth has been my anchor through every phase of my journey. It has taught me to celebrate progress, honor my unique path, and lead with courage. For every woman striving to make her mark, nurturing self-worth isn’t just empowering—it’s essential.
Self-worth, to me, is deeply intertwined with recognizing and embracing my inherent value, independent of external achievements or validation. It has been a foundational element in my journey, guiding me as a leader, author, and empowerment coach. I often emphasize the importance of women understanding their worth, rejecting limiting beliefs, and confidently stepping into the roles they are meant to play.
My work, particularly through The Konfident Woman, is dedicated to helping high-potential executive women of color unlock their core essence and lead with influence, embodying a sense of worth that comes from within and is not dictated by their external circumstances. This belief in intrinsic value fuels my efforts to inspire and uplift others, aiming to empower them to achieve their fullest potential.
Self-worth, to me, is the intrinsic value we place on ourselves, independent of external validation or achievements. It’s about recognizing that we are worthy of love, respect, and kindness simply because we exist. It’s the internal foundation that informs how we treat ourselves and others, and how we respond to life’s challenges.
In my journey, self-worth has played a pivotal role. It’s been the compass guiding me through periods of doubt and growth. There have been times when I’ve struggled with feelings of inadequacy, (and still do from time to time),but learning to cultivate self-worth has made me more resilient. It’s shaped the way I navigate relationships, opportunities, and setbacks. Recognizing that my worth doesn’t fluctuate with external circumstances has empowered me to pursue my goals with more confidence and less fear of failure.
In essence, self-worth has helped me develop a sense of inner peace, one that allows me to embrace my imperfections and keep moving forward, knowing that I am enough just as I am.
Since 2020, I have been on a journey of self-worth. Not because of the pandemic and being stuck inside, although that did create time for self-reflection, but because that was the year I had to make drastic life changes to ensure that my weight didn’t continue slowly killing my body. As someone that has always been on the heavier side compared to my friends, I always thought that once my weight hit a certain number, my value would increase. Now, bear in mind that during this time, I have been with the same loving and supportive husband, and never once did he make me feel anything less than accepted and beautiful. He would tell you that my story is that of a strong, intelligent, and beautiful woman who does everything she can for the people she cares about. However, despite this support and constant outpouring from my true partner in this life, I still struggled to value myself in any capacity. In my mind, there would always be someone stronger, smarter, faster, more beautiful and creative than I am, so I shouldn’t even try. Fast forward to 2024.
At this point, I have completed my undergraduate degree and began working towards my master’s and ultimate licensure, have an amazing job that let’s me travel, encourages me to learn, and provides me with a team of other strong ladies that pour into me, and marks twelve years that I have been with my husband. All these things, based on my younger self’s impressions, should mean that I have arrived. I should be able to walk with a sense of worth because I have reached all my (perceived) necessary pieces or perfection. It wasn’t until the latter half of 2024, in a sales training, of all places, that I learned that this thing called self-worth is dramatically different from self-confidence.
Through encouragement and outside support and resources (two specific authors I would be more than happy to talk about), I have found that my worth is not based on anything other than who I am. Understanding this and believing it is something I am constantly working on. I make a pointed effort to change my internal story from one of an underdog that is always walked on and left behind, to a creative pioneer willing to do whatever it takes to help those that matter to her and those around her. Self-worth is the greatest tool anyone, especially women and women of color, can have in their arsenal. It reminds you that no matter what external forces or situations occur, you are deserving of love, acceptance, and companionship. Only you can define what your value is, and you’re only limited by the amount of love you have for yourself. I will forever be thankful to the women in my life that have shown me that it is okay to accept yourself as you are, to embrace what makes you unique, and believe that the good you see in others exists in yourself.
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