The Real Confidence Issue: It’s About Communication
The narrative that women struggle with confidence in the workplace is everywhere. But is it really a confidence problem—or is it a communication problem?
Many high-performing women don’t lack confidence; they lack communication strategies that project it. According to a study by KPMG, 67% of professional women say they need more support in building confidence to step into leadership. But here’s the truth: Confidence doesn’t magically appear before you communicate—it grows because you communicate.
Laura challenges the idea that you must feel 100% ready before speaking up. Instead, she shares the five key traits of confident communicators that you can start implementing today.
The 5 Traits of Confident Communicators
Want to be seen as a leader? It starts with how you engage in conversations. These five traits set confident communicators apart from the rest.
1. They Assume Their Voice Matters
Many women hesitate to contribute in meetings because they subconsciously believe their input isn’t valuable unless invited to speak. Instead, shift your mindset: If you’re in the room, you belong there.
Try this: Before every meeting, take one minute to prepare:
- Identify two key insights you can contribute.
- Formulate one strong question to ask.
- Get clear on the desired outcome of the conversation.
This small habit will shift you from observer to active participant.
2. They Welcome the Chance to Share Their Opinion
Ever been put on the spot and responded with, “Oh, um, I think maybe…”? That hesitation signals uncertainty—even when you do know what you’re talking about.
Instead, practice owning your voice. If someone asks for your thoughts, try:
- “Here’s my perspective on that…”
- “I appreciate that question—let’s explore this angle…”
- “One thing I’d add is…”
And if someone calls on you unexpectedly? Thank them. “Thanks for asking—I’d love to share my take on this.” This subtly reinforces that your input is valuable.
3. They Don’t Seek Constant Validation
A major mistake many women make? Ending statements with, “Does that make sense?” or “Am I explaining this right?” This undermines your authority by signaling doubt.
Instead, try this:
- Instead of “Does that make sense?” → Ask a direct question: “How does that align with what you’re seeing?”
- Instead of “Am I explaining this well?” → Use a confident close: “Let’s move forward with this approach.”
Let your point stand. If someone needs clarification, they’ll ask.
4. They Stay Open to Feedback Without Second-Guessing Themselves
Confident communicators welcome feedback—but they don’t backtrack at the first sign of disagreement. When someone challenges their perspective, they stay curious instead of defensive.
Try this approach:
- “That’s an interesting take—tell me more about why you see it that way.”
- “I hear your perspective. Here’s why I still lean toward this solution.”
Confidence isn’t about always being right. It’s about standing behind your thoughts while being open to new insights.
5. They See Experts as Resources, Not Competition
Many women feel pressure to be the most knowledgeable person in the room. But leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about connecting the dots.
Instead of thinking:
“I need to prove I’m the expert.”
Shift to:
“I need to facilitate the best solution.”
If someone has more expertise in an area, leverage that knowledge instead of feeling threatened. Ask for their insights, collaborate, and strengthen your argument through shared expertise.
The Modern Workplace Demands Confident Communicators
With remote work and AI automation taking over routine tasks, real-time human communication is more high-stakes than ever. Gone are the days when just “doing good work” was enough. Now, visibility and influence come from how well you can articulate your ideas.
If you’ve ever held back in meetings, hesitated to speak up, or felt like your contributions weren’t being recognized—it’s time to change that.
Start practicing these five traits, and watch how your confidence grows through communication.
And if you’re ready to take your leadership presence to the next level, download The High Potential Pack, Laura’s free guide packed with strategies to boost your visibility and influence at work.
Get your free copy at lauraweldy.com/free.
Your voice matters. It’s time to use it.