When we talk about influence in leadership, we often imagine it as something bold. Think of the person who commands the room, speaks with ease, and never seems to question themselves.

But for many female leaders, the real challenge isn’t the skill of influence itself. It’s everything that happens before they speak.

Influence begins in your mindset, in your self-belief, and in the narratives you’ve absorbed over years of being told to stay modest, stay agreeable, stay small.

None of this is about capability…every woman I coach is deeply capable. What gets in the way are the internal barriers that make it harder to show up with the clarity and conviction you already possess.

Let’s talk about the most common ones…

Most women don’t doubt their skills. They doubt themselves and there’s a difference.

You can lead a project brilliantly, manage a team, handle complexity and still feel your confidence evaporate the moment you have to advocate for your work or put your ideas forward.

Self-doubt is subtle. It is the things that tells you to soften your voice, apologise unnecessarily, or wait for permission that no one is actually withholding.

Influence requires presence, and presence starts with believing you have every right to be heard.

Many women walk a tightrope that doesn’t seem to exist for their male peers.
- Be confident, but not assertive.
- Be warm, but not emotional.
- Be strong, but not intimidating.

This kind of internal monitoring, constantly checking how you’re coming across, dilutes your message long before anyone else has a chance to hear it. You end up spending more energy managing perception than leading with clarity.

Influence becomes lighter, easier, and more effective when you’re not simultaneously trying to shrink yourself.

Overthinking often feels like being prepared. But in reality, it pulls you out of the moment and into a spiral of imagined outcomes:

“What if they disagree?”

“What if I don’t have the right answer?”

“What if this backfires?”

Influence is about being confident enough to respond, adapt, and stand by your message without getting lost in the “what ifs” inside your head.

This Is Why I’m Launching a New Group Programme - Lead With Impact.

I’m creating a space specifically for female leaders who want to influence with confidence, clarity, and impact, without contorting themselves into someone else’s version of leadership.

This 3 month programme will give you:

• A deeper understanding of what holds you back

• Tools to build authentic influence

• A safe place to practise real scenarios

• Support to quiet the self-doubt and stand in your expertise

• The confidence to communicate in a way that actually lands
  
  
  

It’s designed for women who are already brilliant at what they do, they just need a space that helps them step fully into their influence, not quietly work around their doubts.

For more information visit - https://www.careertreecoaching.co.uk/lead-with-impact