Hey Jude

My confidence is at an all time low.

I joined a global investment firm as a senior financial analyst about three years ago.

Even though I am qualified and experienced I find myself shrinking amongst my peers.

I feel overwhelmed with the thought that I am not good enough and that one day I will be caught out.

I deliver my reports on time and I know the work is solid. But when it comes to presenting performance updates or pitching strategies to senior leaders I freeze.

There is a junior analyst on my team who is a natural communicator. He is confident and clear. Senior leaders light up when he speaks. We have slipped into a routine where I prepare the analysis and he delivers it. It is unspoken but it works.

The issue is that most questions now get directed to him even when they are about details only I can answer. I try to step in but my nerves take over and my words lose impact.

I know my lack of confidence is holding me back. It is stopping me from being seen and from getting the recognition I deserve.

At the same time our partnership is strong. He is thriving and our team is exceeding targets.

How do I step up and start shining without dimming his light

Danielle

Happy to let others shine due to my lack of confidence

Hi Danielle

Confidence is a big challenge that not only Black professionals face compared to other groups but also women compared to men.

In my years as a mentor and in racial equity roles, this is something that comes up time and again. I meet so many brilliant Black women who are ten times sharper than their peers, but their lack of confidence keeps them in the shadows. It stops them from being seen, from thriving, from taking the number one spot.

The stats back this up. A My Confidence Matters survey revealed that 79 percent of women report lacking confidence at work, compared to 62 percent of men. Add to that the reality that 88 percent of Black professionals in the UK report experiencing racial discrimination at work, and it is no surprise that confidence can take a hit. On top of that, research shows that 65 percent of Black professionals report experiencing frequent imposter syndrome, much higher than many other groups

My Confidence Matters, 2023 & Arxiv, 2023

One perspective that has always stuck with me comes from Nadia Edwards-Dashti :

“When you believe in someone, you give them the gift of confidence.”

Sometimes the shift starts with knowing that others see your talent and value. Your junior analyst clearly benefits from that. You trust his ability to lead in presentations, and that trust fuels his confidence. Now it is time to start giving that same gift to yourself. Believe in yourself the way you believe in him.

Here are five other pieces of advice I would give:

Know your worth

You said it yourself . You said it yourself. You are “qualified and experienced”. You said it yourself. Start believing that. If you do not believe it, how will anyone else? Be kind to yourself.

Write your achievements down

It is easy to forget what you have achieved and what you are great at. Write it down. I have used my notes app to keep a running list. When my confidence dips, I revisit it. It is also useful when performance review time comes around.

Get uncomfortable

Put yourself forward to present alone. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice it becomes easier. Confidence builds with action.

Body language matters

It may seem small, but it is powerful. Do not shrink into the corner of a meeting room. Sit up straight, take your seat at the table, make eye contact. It sends a message to others and to yourself.

Build relationships

One-to-one conversations often make it easier to feel confident in a group. Build connections across the team. Having allies in the room helps your voice carry further.

Always keep learning

None of us ever stop learning. Find someone you admire at work and spend time with them. Ask questions. Observe. It will make you better and help you feel more at home in your role.

Confidence is not built overnight. It grows in small, consistent moments like speaking up in one meeting, sharing one idea, trusting yourself one step at a time. You have already done the hard part: you know you deserve more. Now you need to believe it and act like it.

Jude

Learn more

The Memo by Minda Harts – Practical advice for Black women navigating predominantly white workplaces.
Slay In Your Lane by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené – A must-read for Black women in the UK on career, confidence and thriving in spaces not built for you.

confidence is at an all time low.

“When you believe in someone, you give them the gift of confidence.”