EP177: Key #2: Confidence - The Courage to Trust Yourself and Lead Boldly
SELF-BELIEF IS AT THE ROOT…
…of your leadership confidence!
Enjoy!
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
In this second part of the Three Keys to Leadership Magic series, we’re exploring a trait that’s often quietly missing but absolutely essential in leadership: confidence.
Confidence has been a personal journey for me. In fact, back in 2019, it was my word of the year. I knew I needed to grow it to build the business I envisioned. What I didn’t know at the time was just how deeply it would shape my work and leadership going forward. Confidence continues to be something I revisit and intentionally build—it’s not something you “arrive” at.
Why Confidence Matters in Leadership
Leaders don’t usually say, “I need help building confidence.” Instead, they say things like:
I want to communicate more clearly.
I want to get promoted.
I want to inspire my team more.
I want to show up better in meetings.
And often, when we dig deeper, the real issue is a lack of confidence. Without it, even the best strategies fall flat because we hesitate, second-guess ourselves, or start playing small.
But when we lead with confidence in our own abilities, everything shifts. We:
Make decisions more quickly
Take more strategic risks
Show resilience in the face of feedback or failure
Communicate more effectively
Experience more joy, motivation, and peace of mind
Confidence is a game-changer.
What Confidence Is (And Isn’t)
Let’s define it clearly: Confidence is the trust you have in your own abilities and judgment.
It’s not about being better than someone else. That’s arrogance. Confidence is believing you can handle challenges—not because someone said you could, but because you’ve chosen to believe it yourself.
It’s not created by praise, titles, or accomplishments. It’s created by your thoughts.
We often believe confidence comes after proof—after someone tells us we’re good, after we get the promotion, after we succeed. But in reality, it’s the belief we hold about ourselves that fuels confidence—not the evidence.
What Gets in the Way of Confidence
There are so many sneaky things that chip away at our confidence:
Imposter syndrome
People-pleasing
Comparison
Perfectionism
At the root of all of these is a lack of self-trust. And while our brain may be trying to protect us from embarrassment, failure, or rejection, we can override that fear with intention.
When we rely on external validation, our confidence becomes fragile. But when we build internal approval, we become unshakeable. No one can take that away from us.
Grounded Confidence in Action
Confidence doesn’t mean you’re never nervous. I recently gave a conference presentation where I felt confident in my knowledge, but I was still nervous. Confidence and nervousness can coexist.
What made the difference was this: I trusted that even if it didn’t go well, I’d be okay.
That’s grounded confidence. That’s leadership.
But if I had entered with thoughts like “Who do I think I am?” or “I’m going to bomb,” my confidence would’ve been eroded before I even began. Our thoughts shape our results.
How to Build Self-Confidence
Confidence is a skill. It’s something you create on purpose. Here’s how:
Elevate your self-awareness. Know your strengths, blind spots, and beliefs.
Embrace all of yourself. Celebrate your wins and own your struggles.
Draw on existing confidence. Think about something you now feel confident doing that once felt scary (like driving).
Tap into future you. Who would you be if you were already confident? Act from that version of yourself now.
Challenge your beliefs. Watch for absolute language like “I’ll never…” or “I always…” and make space for possibility.
Take action. Build your library of proof with every small risk you take.
Practice emotional resilience. Be willing to feel any emotion—fear, disappointment, awkwardness—without letting it stop you.
Keep a list of achievements. Give your brain evidence that you can do hard things.
One of my favorite definitions of grounded confidence comes from Brené Brown in Dare to Lead:
“Grounded confidence is curiosity, plus the willingness to rumble with vulnerability, plus practice.”
That combination—mindset and action—is what creates lasting, authentic confidence.
Reflective Prompts
If confidence is something you want to grow, here are a few prompts to explore:
What do I believe about my ability to lead right now?
Where am I waiting for proof before I act confident?
What’s one confident action I can take this week, even if I don’t feel ready?
What thought would create confidence in this situation?
Confidence is the courage to lead from belief—not proof. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up with trust in who you are.
What Do You Think?
How would you describe your level of self-confidence in leadership?
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