EP211: Confidence - Leading With Self-Trust
Listen Here:
(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 to angie@angie-robinson.com.
Confidence: The Bridge Between Who You Are and How You Lead
Over the last few episodes, we’ve been talking about investing in yourself and how you show up as a leader—especially as we look toward the future. A powerful way to shift your leadership impact is by focusing on the three keys to leadership magic: character, confidence, and connection.
Last episode, we talked about character. Today, we’re diving into confidence—and not the kind most people think of.
Why Confidence Is So Misunderstood in Leadership
Confidence is often assumed. It’s rarely talked about openly. And many leaders don’t realize it’s what’s getting in the way.
We tend to think confidence means certainty, polish, quick answers, or commanding the room. Some even believe it requires being an extrovert. But that version of confidence isn’t what teams are actually looking for.
What people want is a leader who is calm in uncertainty, who listens, who owns mistakes, and who shows up as a whole human.
Here’s what leadership development often misses: You can’t be someone others trust if you don’t trust yourself first.
Confidence Is Self-Trust, Not Certainty
At its core, confidence is trust. The dictionary even defines it as a firm belief you can rely on someone—or something.
Leadership confidence isn’t loud or performative. It’s an inner knowing that says:
“I know who I am. I know what I stand for. And even if I don’t know what’s next, I trust myself to figure it out.”
That kind of confidence creates grounded leadership. Human leadership.
Emotional Regulation Is Part of Confidence
Confidence in leadership also means emotional regulation—not suppressing emotions, but taking responsibility for your nervous system.
It looks like pausing before reacting, noticing when you’re triggered and staying anchored in who you want to be—even in messy, unclear moments.
Leadership is unclear most of the time. Confidence allows you to stay present in that uncertainty without pretending everything is fine.
Confidence During Change
Change reveals everything - our anxieties, habits, blind spots, and default patterns.
Without confidence, leaders may:
Overexplain
Avoid decisions
Micromanage
Withdraw emotionally
Over-function or under-function
With confidence, leaders can say:
“Here’s what I know—and what I don’t.”
“I’ll take responsibility.”
“We’ll move forward without having it all figured out.”
When the leader is regulated, others feel safer. That’s especially true during change.
Confidence Fuels Connection
Confidence feeds the third key: connection.
When leaders trust themselves, they’re less defensive, less reactive, and less ego-driven. That creates psychological safety—where others can show up fully, speak honestly, and collaborate openly.
Confidence makes leadership predictable in the best way. And predictability builds trust.
You Don’t Wait for Evidence to Be Confident
Most of us think: Once I do the thing successfully, then I’ll be confident.
It doesn’t work that way.
Confidence comes first.
You trust yourself.
You manage your thoughts.
You take aligned action.
And then the evidence follows.
The Real Cost of Low Self-Trust
Without confidence, leadership can feel like:
Overthinking and second-guessing
Emotional exhaustion
Shrinking your voice
Reacting instead of responding
Trying to earn approval
With confidence, leadership feels more grounded, spacious, intentional, and human.
You don’t need certainty to move forward. You need self-trust.
What Do You Think?
What is your current level of self trust?
Links
4-Session 1:1 Coaching Package
Discover Your Personality Style Quiz [download]
Please leave a review in Apple Podcasts + share with a friend
It will help others find the podcast - the more leaders we can impact - the better our workplaces and lives will be!
Schedule a FREE Discovery Call
Click here to schedule some time - let’s talk about how we can work together through one-on-one coaching, Insights Discovery workshops or other leadership development work!