Earlier this month, I ran a poll asking: ‘What’s your biggest challenge in finding a new leadership role?’

The results were unmistakable. 

75% of respondents said it was confidence in communicating their value.

That’s huge, but honestly, it’s not wholly surprising.

I work with senior women every day who underestimate what they bring to the table and this lack of confidence doesn’t just appear in interviews - it shows up everywhere.

This could be:

• Job applications and interviews

• Networking events and conversations

• LinkedIn profiles

• Casual professional interactions.

If you’re constantly second-guessing your worth, you’re not just holding yourself back, you’re quietly disqualifying yourself from opportunities that could already be yours.

And the tricky thing? Most of the time, you don’t even realise it.

Many women in leadership roles are highly competent, accomplished, and results-driven. Yet when it comes to talking about themselves, there’s a subtle, but powerful, pattern of downplaying achievements, holding back, or framing successes as “team efforts” rather than personal impact.

It sounds like modesty, but actually it’s fear. This could be fear of being perceived as arrogant, fear of overstepping, or fear of being rejected.

But here’s the truth: organisations are not looking for people who are modest about their value. They’re looking for leaders who know the difference they make, can articulate it clearly, and inspire confidence in others.

So how do you change this? How do you stop underplaying your worth and start communicating it with clarity and confidence? 

Here are some practical and actionable steps:

It’s easy to talk about responsibilities, but responsibilities are not impact. Think in outcomes, results, and transformation.

Ask yourself:

• What changes because of my work?

• How do my actions move the business forward?

• What would be missing if I weren’t in this role?

For example, instead of saying: “I manage a team of ten people,” you could say: “I lead a team of ten, driving initiatives that increased revenue by 20%.” See the difference? One is a description; the other is a story of measurable impact.

Confidence isn’t something you wait to “feel.” It’s built through repetition. Say your achievements out loud.

Practice with a mentor, a friend, a career coach, or even to yourself in the mirror. The goal isn’t to brag, it’s to make you feel comfortable talking positively about yourself and your achievements. 

Over time, this becomes second nature. When you naturally speak about your contributions, others will hear it, and more importantly, you will believe it yourself.

Notice when you think, “I’m not ready,” or “I’m not quite there yet.” Pause and ask: is this a fact or a narrative I am telling myself? More often than not, it’s fear. The world doesn’t need you to wait until you feel “perfect,” and neither do you.

One exercise I often recommend is writing down your three biggest achievements from the past year. Then challenge yourself to keep adding to your achievement journal on a regular basis. Confidence grows when you consciously challenge your self-doubt.

It’s worth repeating: confidence in communicating your value isn’t about arrogance. You’re not boasting; you’re being clear, grounded, and unapologetic about what you bring. 

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready” to start stepping into your next leadership role. You already have the experience, the expertise, and the impact. What’s missing is your confidence in showing it.

If you’d like to work on this, then get in touch for a free call to see how career coaching with me can help.