How to build confidence in pitching as a woman

I was shadowing a coaching client in her leadership meeting when I watched this brilliant woman apologize six times in 30 minutes. 1. “Sorry, this might be off-topic, but..." 2. “I'm could be wrong, but what if we..." 3. “Sorry again, I know we're running short on time..." 4. “I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but..." 5. “This is just my opinion, but..." 6. “Sorry if I'm being too pushy..." Her ideas? They were game-changing. Every single one. Here's what I've learned after decades of coaching women leaders: Women are masterful at reading the room and keeping everyone comfortable. It's a superpower. But when we consistently prioritize others' comfort over our own voice, we rob ourselves, and our teams, of our full contribution. The alternative isn't to become aggressive or dismissive. It's to practice “gracious assertion": • Replace "Sorry to interrupt" with "I'd like to add to that" • Replace "This might be stupid, but..." with "Here's another perspective" • Replace "I hope this makes sense" with "Let me know what questions you have" • Replace "I don't want to step on toes" with "I have a different approach" • Replace "This is just my opinion" with "Based on my experience" • Replace "Sorry if I'm being pushy" with "I feel strongly about this because" But how do you know if you're hitting the right note? Ask yourself these three questions: • Am I stating my needs clearly while respecting others' perspectives? (Assertive) • Am I dismissing others' input or bulldozing through objections? (Aggressive) • Am I hinting at what I want instead of directly asking for it? (Passive-aggressive) You can be considerate AND confident. You can make space for others AND take up space yourself. Your comfort matters too. Your voice matters too. Your ideas matter too. And most importantly, YOU matter. @she.shines.inc #Womenleaders #Confidence #selfadvocacy

“If I speak like that… won’t I sound bitchy?” She asked this during my Speak with Conviction workshop—right after delivering a pitch that was confident, clear, and compelling. She nailed it. Strong structure. Steady voice. Presence that made people listen. She’s a leader. Smart. Seasoned. Respected. And yet—she hesitated. Not because she doubted her message. But because she feared how it might land. Too strong? Too blunt? Too much? This wasn’t about her voice. It was about the noise in her head. Somewhere along the way, we learned: ↳ Clarity is cold ↳ Confidence is arrogance ↳ Conviction makes people uncomfortable Especially if you’re a woman. Especially if you’ve ever been told to “smile more” or “soften your tone.” So we pad the truth. We wrap clarity in cotton wool. We apologise for having a point of view. Here’s what I reminded her—and the room: Clarity isn’t cruelty. Conviction isn’t combat. Confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s competence—with a voice. ⸻ Takeaways: ✅ You don’t need to shout to be heard ✅ You don’t need to dominate to lead ✅ You do need to stop apologising for existing If you’ve ever swallowed your words to stay “likeable”… Or softened your message until it barely landed… This is your sign. 📣 Say what you mean. 📣 Say it clearly. 📣 Say it like you mean it. They’ll adjust. #ExecutivePresence #AuthenticLeadership #Communication #LeadershipDevelopment #Storytelling

Want To Master the art of building confidence and owning achievements without feeling boastful? Use These 5 Techniques To Promote Yourself. I have been in the Sales industry for 15+ years. During that time, I have closed millions in sales deals while building high-performing teams in male-dominated industries. I recently had the honor of presenting at the INBOUND conference, where I shared insights on how Women Sell Better by Leveraging Diversity to Boost Sales. In fact, I’ve invested so many hours into mastering my craft that I’ve developed frameworks and techniques that not only increase sales but transform how professionals see themselves and their abilities. But do you want to know a secret? I actually use the same five proven techniques every time. Technique #1: The Acknowledge & Affirm Strategy Here’s how it works: - Step 1: When someone compliments you, pause and fully absorb it. - Step 2: Acknowledge the compliment by saying, “Thank you,” but don’t stop there. - Step 3: Affirm it with “It’s true” or by stating the achievement behind the compliment. This simple template allows you to confidently own your accomplishments, transforming compliments into moments of empowerment. Technique #2: The Achievement Reflection Here’s how it works: - Step 1: Regularly reflect on recent successes, no matter how small. - Step 2: Write down your specific actions to achieve them. - Step 3: Share these reflections with others as part of your personal brand story. Quick note: Don’t downplay or brush off your accomplishments. That's a mistake. These steps work better when you fully embrace and communicate your wins authentically. Technique #3: The ‘Lead with Value’ Method Here’s how it works: - Avoid starting conversations with 'I did this' – it can come off as boastful. - Do lead with the value your action brought to the team or the client instead. - If you avoid self-centered language and focus on the value you create, you’ll unlock greater recognition and deeper connections. Easy, right? Technique #4: The Feedback Amplifier Here’s how it works: - Step 1: Ask for feedback on specific aspects of your work. - Step 2: Use the positive feedback to validate your strengths. - Step 3: Incorporate this feedback into your narrative when promoting your skills. Do these 3 things, and you’ll naturally amplify your confidence and others' perception of your expertise. Technique #5: The Confidence Anchor Here’s how it works: - Tip 1: Create a daily ritual where you recognize at least one thing you’ve done well. - Tip 2: Visualize a past success before entering a challenging situation. - Tip 3: Use affirmations to remind yourself of your strengths. That’s it! These techniques help you build unshakable confidence and promote your achievements without feeling boastful. #ThankYouItsTrue #OwnYourAwesome #WomenInSales

In my 20s, I struggled to advocate for myself. When you're not naturally confident, it feels impossible. Here are 7 practical strategies I found actually work: 1/ Start with small wins → Begin in low-pressure settings → Track every advocacy attempt → Start with written requests first → Build confidence through repetition 2/ Know your worth → Create a "brag folder" → Document positive feedback regularly → Update achievements weekly → Quantify your contributions 3/ Practice your pitch → Record yourself speaking → Rehearse until it feels natural → Prepare for potential objections → Eliminate filler words 4/ Use "we" language strategically → Frame requests as mutual benefits → Connect to business priorities → Use the company's own language → Focus on collective outcomes 5/ Find allies and sponsors → Share credit with people of influence → Support others publicly → Build reciprocal relationships → Nurture your advocacy network 6/ Embrace the power of silence → Count to 10 after requests → Resist the urge to backtrack → Practice in low-stakes situations → Let others fill the silence 7/ Reflect often → Journal about each attempt → Focus on action, not outcome → Learn from every experience → Celebrate your courage I know it's hard... But you deserve to be heard just as much as the loudest person in the room! Don't you think? (Repost to help someone that needs to read this) _ 👋🏽 I'm Radha Vyas, CEO & Co-Founder of Flash Pack, connecting solo travelers on life-changing social adventures. Follow for daily posts on the journey!