Feeling confident is hard and if you’re not feeling confident, it’s likely to be holding you back. Although this is an obstacle many need to overcome, as women have continued to become more and more prominent in the workplace, a gender confidence gap still remains.

Now, this isn’t to say this accounts for all women, but it’s been proven that it applies to a large majority. The gender confidence gap is an issue that continues to hold many women back in their personal and professional lives. According to research cited in phys.org, 25% of women would avoid applying for roles they feel unqualified for, compared to only 15% of men. This hesitation can significantly impact career progression and opportunities.

So, what can we do to start building up our confidence and close this pesky gap?

Finding your voice
In our latest episode of Off Record On Point, we spoke with Jessica Doyle Mekkes—bestselling author of I'm Speaking, renowned vocal coach, and Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University, as she offered her advice on harnessing your voice and its ability in building confidence. 

She shared that finding your voice goes beyond just pushing yourself to speak up more, it's about recognising your worth, expressing your ideas, and standing firm in your convictions. To truly find your confidence, you need to find your voice and, to find your voice, you need to understand both your inner voice and your physical voice, something that can often be overlooked. 

The Physical Voice

What people often don’t realise is that your voice is a muscle that can be trained and strengthened. Like any other muscle, it requires care and practice. Some ways to get your physical voice into shape include:

• Warming up your voice before important conversations or presentations (check out Jessica’s episode for demonstrations of how this can be done!)
• Stay hydrated to keep your vocal cords flexible
• Practice breathing exercises to support your voice
• Experiment with pitch and tone to find your most confident sound

After you’ve warmed up the physical voice, you then need to tackle your inner critic.

Dealing with the Inner Critic

The biggest obstacle to finding our voice isn't external - it's internal. That little voice in your head telling you you're not good enough can be incredibly damaging. Here's some tips to help deal with it:

1. Acknowledge the voice, but don't give it power.
2. Challenge negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
3. Recognise and celebrate your achievements and strengths.
4. Train yourself to tell that inner critic that you don't have time for its negativity.
5. 
   

Supporting each other in overcoming self-doubt is crucial for personal and professional growth and with women finding it harder to find their voices, there are things in place to help encourage this confidence amongst all. 

Give people the space they need to be confident

Closing the confidence gap requires not just individual effort, but also systemic changes and support:

1. Mentoring Programs: Establish mentorship programs that pair experienced women leaders with emerging talent. At The Digital Voice, we are strong advocates for leveraging networks and mentorship opportunities to support our growth. In remote work, connecting with industry peers and making the most of these connections is pivotal. Bloom and lollipop mentoring are two of our personal favourites!
2. Training and Development: Offer workshops and training sessions focused on building confidence, presentation and communication skills (or listen to the Off Record, On Point podcast!)
3. Inclusive Workplace Culture: Foster an environment where all voices are valued and diverse perspectives are actively sought. Give people the space where they feel like they have an equal voice. 

Want more tips on building up your confidence in the workplace? Check out our full Confidence in the Workplace 101.

Let’s make confidence contagious!

Closing the gender confidence gap isn’t just about lifting up individual women; it’s about encouraging everyone to train their voice, put themselves in environments where their voice is heard and leaning on those that make us feel our most confident selves. When we tackle both those pesky inner doubts and the external barriers, we can create an atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to share their ideas and chase their goals. 

Make sure to check out our latest episode of Off Record, On Point with Jessica Doyle Mekkes for even more inspiration!

Amber O’Neill is a Content Manager at The Digital Voice PR Agency and has a strong foundation in PR and media through her Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications with Political Studies from the University of Sussex. She also holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Documentary Practice and has been working in the media and communications industry since graduation.