WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD BULLETPROOF CONFIDENCE AS A FEMALE LEADER?
Are you ready to finally feel confident as a female leader? Maybe you’ve already read countless books, asked your friends for advice, or looked online for answers. My goal here is to give you a simple and straightforward perspective on what it really takes to build unshakeable confidence as a woman in leadership.
Many people think that confidence is something you’re either born with or not. But that exact thinking, could be what is holding you back. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, wondered if you belong in leadership, or found yourself constantly questioning your decisions and proving why you deserve a seat at the table, then this blog is for you.
Let’s dive into how you can develop real confidence that lasts.
Confidence comes from action, not perfection
Always remember: confidence doesn’t come from being perfect. It comes from taking action. If you’ve been waiting to feel “ready” before stepping up, it’s time to rethink that.
Ask yourself: Why do I think I need to have it all figured out before I can be confident? Often, we set these high standards for ourselves because we’re worried about what others will think. But the truth is, no one’s perfect, and real confidence grows from trying, learning, and doing—not from waiting until everything’s just right. You’re going to wait a really long time!
My routine for building confidence
Confidence doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it’s something you build daily.
Here’s what I do to keep my confidence strong:
HOW I START MY MORNING
I always start my day with some “me time.” This could be a workout, a walk, or even some stretching. Doing something physical reminds me that I’m capable of pushing myself and sets a positive tone for the day.
MIDDAY IS MY POWER HOUR - COMPLETE FOCUS
This is a distraction-free hour where I focus on a task that really matters. Whether it's preparing for a meeting or tackling a key project, this focused time gives me a sense of accomplishment, which fuels my confidence for the rest of the day. Don’t confuse this as a “working lunch”, I make sure I have my uninterrupted hour to refuel!
ENDING THE DAY WITH REFLECTION
I ask myself;
"What went well?
What could I learn from?"
It’s not about being hard on myself—it’s about taking small lessons from each day to keep growing. This keeps me grounded and reminds me that confidence is a journey, not a destination.
What about your routine? How is it helping you build your confidence? Don’t be afraid to change things up if something isn’t working. Your routine should help you feel good about what you’re doing, not hold you back.
Confidence through real-life challenges
One of the biggest mistakes many people make when it comes to building confidence is believing they need to feel a certain way before they can act. But here’s the truth: Confidence comes from doing the hard things before you feel ready.
Let’s consider a common scenario: You’re about to step into a high-stakes meeting or presentation, and self-doubt kicks in. You start questioning if you’re prepared enough, if people will take you seriously, or if you even belong there in the first place. These thoughts can be paralysing, but instead of waiting for confidence to magically appear, what if you embraced the discomfort and took action anyway?
The key to building bulletproof confidence lies in small, intentional steps. Each time you push yourself to take action despite the nerves, you’re strengthening that confidence muscle. Think of it like training for a marathon. You don’t start with 26 miles; you start with one. Over time, each action—no matter how small—builds up until confidence becomes a natural part of your leadership style.
Shifting your mindset: Focus on progress, not perfection
Another important piece of the puzzle is changing your mindset. Many female leaders fall into the trap of perfectionism, thinking they need to do everything flawlessly to earn their seat at the table. But confidence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being willing to learn and grow.
Instead of aiming for perfection, shift your focus to progress.
Ask yourself:
What did I learn today?
How did I step outside my comfort zone?
What small win can I celebrate?
These reflections help you see that confidence is built from progress, not perfection. It’s okay to make mistakes—that’s where the growth happens.
Building confidence through small, consistent actions
If you’re ready to start building your own bulletproof confidence, here are three steps to get you started:
Step 1: Challenge your negative thoughts
When you catch yourself thinking, "I’m not good enough" or "What if I fail?" flip the script. Remind yourself that everyone has doubts, and it’s your actions that matter most. Each time you take action despite feeling uncertain, you’re building confidence.
Step 2: Take small, consistent actions
Confidence grows with each step you take. Start small—whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or volunteering for a new project. Every small win adds to your confidence, making it easier to tackle bigger challenges in the future.
Step 3: Embrace feedback as fuel for growth
Confident leaders don’t shy away from feedback. They welcome it as an opportunity to improve. Seek out feedback regularly, not just to hear what’s going well, but to understand where you can grow. This helps you build confidence in your ability to keep getting better.
Wrapping it Up!
Building bulletproof confidence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about taking action, learning, and growing over time. Did you take note of how important it is to challenge your negative thoughts and adopt a routine that works for you? You’re well on your way to developing confidence that lasts.
At Your Future Forward, I make it my mission to help leaders like you optimise your health and habits for peak performance. If you’d like to know more or work with me, please drop me a line here. I love hearing from leaders who are ready to take their performance to the next level.
Stay strong, stay balanced!
Yvette
