Julie was ecstatic when she was chosen to lead a major project. It was the biggest assignment of her career—working with a high-profile client and a seasoned team. Despite her past achievements, self-doubt crept in. As the most junior team member, she questioned whether she truly belonged. That doubt began to shape how she showed up in meetings, and soon, it became clear that others noticed it too.
Proving Yourself Backfires
In her first client meeting, nerves got the best of Julie. She stumbled over her words, struggled to project confidence, and left feeling frustrated. She told herself she would do better next time. But the client wasn’t convinced. By the second meeting, they requested that her boss join.
Afterward, her boss pulled her aside and didn’t sugarcoat the feedback:
“You’re not connecting with the client. I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to fix this before the next meeting.”
Julie knew she had the skills, knowledge, and expertise to deliver, but how she was showing up didn’t translate that to her clients. Something had to shift—fast.
The Silent Signals That Undermine Confidence
Julie reached out for coaching, and our initial session revealed what was holding her back. She was:
- Avoiding eye contact, signaling uncertainty and lack of engagement with her audience.
- Speaking softly with an upward inflection made her statements sound like questions.
- Hunched posture and fidgeting reinforced an impression of self-doubt.
What Julie hadn’t realized was that over 50% of communication is nonverbal. Body language, tone of delivery, and presence speak volumes long before words register. The solution? She needed to adjust her internal story of uncertainty and lean into showcasing her competence as a leader.
Small Shifts, Big Impact: Reclaiming Her Confidence
Instead of working to “prove” herself, Julie focused on intentional behavioral changes that transformed how she showed up in meetings.
Changes That Elevate Leadership Presence:
- Eye Contact: Maintained deliberate eye contact while speaking and listening.
- Expressive Gestures: Used natural hand gestures and kept them still when not speaking.
- Voice Projection: Spoke clearly and with enough volume to be heard with confidence.
- Certainty in Speech: Answered questions directly without unnecessary qualifiers.
- Confident Posture: Sat straight, shoulders back, and stood when addressing the room.
Having made these changes, Julie started to command attention in a way that felt aligned with her natural and authentic style. But the real transformation happened internally.
Rewriting YOUR Inner Story
Julie began to realize her self-doubt came from the story she told herself:
- “I’m the most junior here.”
- “This project is beyond my abilities.”
That narrative influenced her behavior, having her second-guess herself at every step. To shift her mindset, Julie:
- Wrote a new story about how she wanted to show up and reviewed it daily.
- Practiced self-awareness to challenge self-doubt when it appeared.
- Reframed her thoughts to emphasize her strengths instead of her fears.
- Set clear intentions before each meeting to stay on purpose.
The result? A confident, self-assured presence that the client immediately recognized.
How Your THINKING Shapes Your Reality
Julie’s transformation wasn’t simply about her posture or communication. It was about reframing her story and the internal image she held of herself. She began by creating a more positive feedback loop:
positive focus shifts thoughts → recalibrates behaviors → influences actions
This shift established credibility with her client, and they began to trust her judgment. She successfully led the project to completion.
Your mind believes what you repeatedly tell it. Feed it positive, empowering thoughts, and your behaviors will naturally align.
Your Turn:
Step into your leadership potential by asking yourself:
- How do I want to show up and be known as a leader?
- What value do I bring to others and the work I do?
- What positive statements will support my growth?
Write your answers and review them daily to recalibrate. When you align your mental model with intentional actions, your leadership presence transforms.
Ready to Elevate Your Leadership?
At Authentic Leaders Edge, we help professionals like you develop a powerful leadership presence. Whether you’re leading a team or defining your personal brand, Dorothy Lazovik provides tailored coaching to accelerate your growth.
Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation to explore how coaching can help you step into your full potential. Email today to get started!
