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The Confidence Gap Is Closing for Women Leaders
When I first started my career, confidence wasn’t something women were encouraged to talk about. We were told to “work hard and let your results speak for themselves.” There wasn’t much space for conversations about self-belief, presence or owning your voice.
Fast forward to today, and confidence is emerging as one of the most important drivers of leadership success. And thankfully, the data is starting to reflect that shift.
A new report from Capgemini shows that 58% of women now recognize confidence in themselves as a key strength, nearly matching men at 59%. Even more telling, 77% of both men and women agree that women are just as effective as men in leadership roles.
Confidence is catching up to capability…and that’s powerful.
There is an inner confidence shift happening. Confidence is more than just “feeling good” about yourself. For many women, it represents permission to own their expertise, to speak up and to take calculated risks that move their careers forward.
What Inner Confidence Means for Executive Women
Inner confidence fuels authenticity. It’s what allows a woman to walk into a room, hold her ground in complex conversations and contribute her perspective fully.What Inner Confidence Means for Executive Women
It also builds resilience. Leadership, especially at the executive level, comes with setbacks, scrutiny and moments of doubt. Confidence helps you navigate the ups and downs without losing sight of your value or your voice.
But…confidence doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated through experience, reflection, and often, through supportive networks and communities that remind you who you are when the noise gets loud.
Here’s the truth: capability gets you noticed, but confidence gets you considered.
Confidence impacts:
- Visibility: People pay attention to those who communicate with clarity and conviction.
- Sponsorship: Sponsors are far more likely to advocate for someone who demonstrates readiness…not just competence.
- Risk-Taking: Confident leaders are more willing to step into stretch roles and uncharted territory.
- Executive Presence: Confidence doesn’t replace skill…it amplifies it. It allows others to trust your leadership in high-stakes moments.
When women step into leadership with confidence, it changes how they are perceived and how they’re positioned for opportunities. It’s not about arrogance…it’s about alignment between who you are and what you bring.
How to Build and Strengthen Leadership Confidence
Confidence can be strengthened, and it can also be shaken. That’s why it’s important to be intentional:
- Know Your Strengths Clearly: When you can articulate your value, you’re less likely to shrink in challenging moments.
- Seek Environments That Reinforce, Not Erode: Surround yourself with communities, mentors and sponsors who reflect your capability back to you.
- Take Calculated Risks: Confidence grows through action, not waiting. Each “stretch” moment reinforces your leadership identity.
- Challenge Old Narratives: Confidence isn’t arrogance. Speaking up isn’t self-promotion… it’s leadership.
Confidence as a Strategic Leadership Asset
For years, confidence was treated as something you either had or you didn’t. But in truth, it’s a strategic asset…one that can be cultivated, strengthen and modeled.
As more women recognize and embrace their confidence, leadership cultures shift. When capability and confidence rise together, the ripple reaches far beyond one individual. It changes the tone of the room.
Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s alignment between who you are and what you bring.
