Lead With Confidence Without Changing Your Body

In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, the importance of authenticity and body confidence for women leaders cannot be overstated. 

As female leaders, we face unique challenges and expectations, making it all the more crucial for us to embrace our true selves and feel confident in our own skin. 

In this empowering blog post, we delve into the latest episode of SELF Guided, where we discuss the incredible benefits of embracing authenticity and body confidence as women leaders.

We'll explore how being true to yourself and feeling good in your own skin can enhance your leadership presence, inspire others, and foster creativity. 

We'll also share valuable insights and practical tips to help you become the best version of yourself as a female leader. 

So, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and let's dive into this transformative conversation that will unlock your full potential and inspire you to lead with authenticity and confidence! 

Listen to the full episode HERE

Transcript

Introduction 

Welcome everyone to Self-Guided season two, episode six “Lead with confidence without changing your body”. In this episode, we are talking about the power of authenticity and body confidence for women leaders. I'll be sharing some insights from my own journey in embracing my authenticity and my body and we'll dive into the incredible benefits of embracing your true self and body confidence as a female leader.

The Power of Authenticity

Now, you might be wondering, "What's the big deal about authenticity? Why does it matter so much? Why do people keep saying be authentic?”. Well, let me tell you. 

When you show up authentically, your audience is more likely to trust and connect with you. Genuine connections lead to stronger relationships and increased loyalty. And let's be honest, who doesn't want that? Authenticity creates an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves, which in turn fosters open communication and collaboration. It’s at the very foundation of real relationships, the kind you’re not being someone else in. Being someone else in a relationship of any kind is exhausting and draining and there’s no questioning if you’re in your integrity or not.

I personally contracted for a few coaching programs and organizations over the years and my biggest regret was trying to be who I thought they wanted me to be. They never asked me to be anything other than myself but I didn’t have the confidence in myself or in my body to be me. I had all the confidence in the world in the tools and techniques I was using, in my ability as a coach, mentor and teaching but not in being seen as myself - my idea of professional, my idea of my favorite self, my idea of a successful coach which turns out is very down to earth, imperfect and human. I’ve since created a career for myself that I enjoy showing up to everyday in which I unapologetically show you all who I am, confident in myself and my body.

Next up, let's talk about body confidence. Confidence in your body enhances your overall leadership presence, making you more assertive, approachable, and inspiring to others. It's like a superpower that makes you feel unstoppable! When you feel good in your own skin, it radiates from within, and others can sense that confidence, making them more likely to trust and follow your lead. 

If we go back to my own story, I’ll tell you that I couldn’t hold that presence I exuded on the webinars and classes I did for the other organizations when we were all in person. I had figured out how to do it online but it’s not the same and people can tell when they’re in your presence if it’s genuine or not.

One of my favorite aspects of embracing authenticity and body confidence is the ripple effect it creates. By being true to yourself and confident in your body, you become a role model for other women, encouraging them to do the same and break free from societal limitations, some of which we’ve been talking about in past episodes. Your authenticity can inspire others to find their own voices and embrace their unique qualities. 

Many of my clients have been quite blunt about this with me. While they had enjoyed my previous coaching, they’ve said I have found ways to make coaching fun, when I radiate who I am authentically, I can’t help but create a playground for us to welcome their authentic selves fully and completely, you are not too much, you don’t need to be reigned in nor are you too meek or too shy. You will shine either way so long as you are solid in your body.

Now, let's get a bit creative. Did you know that authenticity allows you to express your unique ideas and perspectives, fostering creativity and innovation within your team and organization? It's like unlocking a hidden treasure chest of ideas! When you're authentic, you're more likely to take risks and think outside the box, which can lead to groundbreaking ideas and solutions. You are unique and you can only have access to your unique path and ideas when you are being authentic.

And when life throws curveballs at you, guess what? When you're authentic and body confident, you're more resilient in overcoming obstacles and setbacks, as you're grounded in your true self and values. You're better equipped to face challenges head-on and bounce back from adversity, making you an even stronger leader.

Last but not least, embracing authenticity and body confidence promotes self-awareness and self-compassion, leading to personal and professional growth. It's like watering a plant and watching it flourish! By being true to yourself and accepting your body, you're able to learn from your experiences and grow both personally and professionally from care and not from being mean to yourself.

How to Show Up Authentically as a Female Leader

Alright, now that we've covered the amazing benefits of authenticity and body confidence, let's talk about how to show up authentically as a female leader. 

Remember, authenticity is crucial for creating a lasting impact and connecting with your audience. Embracing your body helps you focus on your inner strength and message.

Body confidence allows you to show up powerfully, without being distracted by unwanted thoughts about your appearance. It's time to let your inner strength shine through!

So, here are a couple of tips that have helped me along the way:

TIP 1: Breathe deeply during public speaking 

In moments of anxiety before or during public speaking, take slow, deep breaths to calm your nerves. This will bring your attention back to groundedness and away from overthinking which is likely what’s causing your anxiety in the moment. You can then focus on your message and remind yourself that your insights are valuable. Only if that feels correct for you of course. This tip works so well because deep breathing activates the body's relaxation response, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. By calming your nerves, you can better concentrate on delivering your message with confidence and authenticity.

TIP 2: Pause and reflect before posting on social media 

Before hitting that "post" button, take a moment to think about your intention. Ensure your content aligns with your authentic self and promotes a genuine connection with your audience. It's all about quality, not quantity. This tip works well because it encourages mindfulness and intentionality in your online presence. That means you can intentionally speak to yourself in the kindest of ways about your appearance or whatever concern you’re having before posting. You can also look at your content with more intention. By taking the time to reflect on your content, you can ensure that it truly represents your authentic self, fostering deeper connections with your audience and building trust in your personal brand.

TIP 3: Use a grounding technique when networking 

If you feel overwhelmed during networking events, try a grounding technique, such as focusing on your feet or touching a physical object. This helps you stay present and engaged in conversations. Trust me, it works wonders! You can press your fingers together, you can hum gently to yourself. You can play with any of the embodiment pillars to help you here: those are breath, movement and sound. Those are your body’s way of reconnecting to its internal anchor. Now I know many of us have been brought up to not move too much of fidget or any of those things when we’re meeting and engaging with people but if that’s holding you back from being present, it’s holding you back from being authentic, in your full presence. Consider letting go of those teachings.

TIP 4: Practice affirmations in moments of self-doubt 

When experiencing self-doubt, repeat positive affirmations to yourself, such as "I am a strong and capable leader" or "My voice matters." This helps reinforce your self-confidence and authenticity. You can even write them down and stick them on your bathroom mirror for a daily reminder! The trick here is that the affirmations need to be affirmations you actually believe and have practiced before. Your brain and your body will not buy it if it’s not sincere. One other tip here would be to say these affirmations once you’ve used a grounding technique so that you’re not just adding more noise to your brain that will just get lost.

So, there you have it! We've covered the incredible benefits of embracing authenticity and body confidence as women leaders, and I hope you feel inspired to start embracing your authentic self today. I will say it again: You are powerful, and your voice matters.

I encourage you to share this podcast with a fellow woman leader who needs to hear this message. Let's support each other on this journey and make a difference together!

It's been a pleasure sharing these insights with you. I'd love to hear about your experiences with authenticity and body confidence in leadership, so please feel free to reach out and share your stories. Until next time!