A Tribute to Women Who Refuse to Hold Back
March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the pioneers who have shattered glass ceilings, defied expectations, and redefined leadership. But beyond history, this month is also about the present—the women leading today and the ones rising to take their place.
As a mentor and coach to many incredibly talented women professionals, I’ve seen a pattern that plays out far too often. They hesitate. They overanalyze. They read job descriptions five times, making sure they meet every single requirement before daring to apply. Meanwhile, their male counterparts skim the listing and go for it—sometimes with just 60% of the qualifications.
I once mentored a brilliant senior engineer, a woman who was an exceptional developer. But she hesitated to work with the principal engineers—all men—because she believed they didn’t like her approach, her designs, or her coding patterns. She held herself back, convinced that her work wasn’t as valued as it truly was. It took time, but I encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone. We found a principal engineer who agreed to mentor her, and from that point forward, everything changed. Or rather, nothing changed—her code was still brilliant, her skills still exceptional. The only real shift was in her perception. Once she let go of the doubts that held her back, she realized she had belonged all along.
This hesitation is not a lack of talent—it’s a conditioned mindset. And that’s why I push the women I mentor to break it.
The Power of Confidence
Whenever a woman I mentor second-guesses herself, I give her one simple directive: You are a professional. Go and get it. Don’t overthink. Don’t create artificial reasons why you’re "not ready." You are ready.
I tell my daughter the same thing. She is strong, smart, and more than capable. I remind her: "Never second-guess yourself. Never wonder if you’re good enough. If you have a goal, go and achieve it."
The same applies to every woman professional I work with. There’s no need to hesitate, no need to seek unnecessary validation, no need to hold yourself back. If you want to lead, lead. If you want that next step, take it.
Yet, time and time again, I see highly competent women pausing before making a move. They second-guess themselves, wondering:
“Am I really ready for this?”
“What if I don’t meet every requirement?”
“Will I be able to keep up?”
These doubts are not reality—they are conditioned fears. And they stop far too many talented women from stepping into the leadership roles they deserve.
Resilience in the Face of Bias
Women in leadership often navigate biases, double standards, and the pressure to “prove” themselves in ways their male counterparts don’t. One executive I mentor shared how she was frequently interrupted in meetings—until she made a conscious decision to reclaim her voice. She set a rule: every time she was interrupted, she would politely but firmly continue speaking. Over time, respect for her input grew.
Another mentee of mine worried about seeming “too assertive” in negotiations—until she realized that the same confidence that made her male colleagues successful was the very thing she needed to embrace.
Resilience is about persistence. Speak up. Advocate for yourself. The more you do, the more you change the dynamics—not just for yourself, but for the women who come after you.
Leading with Empathy and Inclusion
The best leaders aren’t just technically brilliant—they understand people. Many of the most successful women I work with lead not with authority but with empathy, creating cultures of collaboration and psychological safety. A leader I admire always begins meetings by checking in on her team, ensuring that voices from all levels are heard. This has led to higher engagement, retention, and a thriving work culture.
Empathy is not a weakness—it’s a leadership superpower. The best leaders listen, create space for diverse perspectives, and champion the next generation.
Owning Your Path to Leadership
Women who step into leadership must recognize that hesitation and doubt are the real barriers—not their qualifications, skills, or abilities. The key to breaking the cycle of hesitation is action. Stop waiting for the perfect moment, stop questioning whether you are ready, and start moving forward. If you wait until you feel “100% qualified,” you’ll never take the leap. Growth happens on the job, not before it. Speak up in meetings, take space in boardrooms, and claim your voice. Don’t wait for permission. Every successful leader has had moments of doubt—but they acted anyway. And as you rise, reach back and lift others with you. Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to change the system and create more opportunities for women in leadership.
The Time Is Now
Women’s History Month isn’t just about celebrating the past—it’s about shaping the future. And that future belongs to the women who refuse to hold back.
To every woman reading this—whether you're leading a company, launching a startup, or just considering your next step:
Go. Get. It.
No hesitation. No second-guessing. You are ready. The only thing left to do is act.
So what are you waiting for?
What’s Next?
What’s a leadership opportunity you’ve been waiting for? A role you’ve been eyeing but haven’t applied for? A bold move you’ve been hesitant to take?
Share your next big step—I’d love to hear how you’re stepping into your leadership power. 💪
Thanks for reading! Your journey to the top starts with small steps. Keep learning.