When I speak to women who want to move into their first or next leadership role, the same theme comes up again and again.

It’s not that they don’t have the skills. It’s not that they’re not capable.

It’s that something’s holding them back on the inside.

And that “something” usually sounds like:

“I’m not ready yet.”
“I need to be more confident first.”
“What if I get found out?”

If that feels familiar, you’re not alone.

It’s easy to think leadership is all about strategy, visibility and networking. But in reality, the biggest shifts I see in the women I coach happen internally.

Put simply, ‘doing the inner work’ is about:

💙 Getting to know yourself…properly

💙 Understanding what’s really driving your choices (or keeping you stuck).
💙 Noticing the stories you’re telling yourself and asking whether they’re actually true.

It’s less about “fixing” anything and more about uncovering what’s already there: your strengths, your voice, your values. Yes, it can feel uncomfortable, but it’s also where real self-confidence starts to grow - the kind that doesn’t rely on praise or permission.

You might already be in a leadership role, or aiming for one in the next six months, but still feel:

💭 You’re second-guessing every decision



💭 You have to work twice as hard to prove yourself



💭 You’re holding back who you really are at work



💭 You’re constantly comparing yourself to others



💭 You’re wearing a mask, and it’s exhausting



If any of that resonates, it’s a sign there’s more going on beneath the surface that you need to work on before you start applying for your next leadership role.

You don’t have to dive into deep reflection all at once. But if you want a place to start, try asking yourself:

• What does leadership mean to me?
  
  Not what you think it should mean. What does your version of leadership look like?

• Am I holding back because of fear or self-doubt?
  
  Be honest. What is stopping you moving forward in your career?

• What can you change this week that still feels honest or like yourself?
  
  This could be how you show up in meetings, how you manage your team, or how you make decisions.

Sometimes the answers are small. But they can create big shifts.

Doing the inner work doesn’t mean becoming someone else, it means becoming more of yourself, utilising your strengths and trusting that’s enough.

So if becoming a more impactful leader feels like something you want, but also something you’re slightly terrified of, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just human.

If you’d like some space to work through all of that, with someone who gets it, that’s exactly what Career Coaching is for.

You’re allowed to lead…and you’re allowed to do it your way.