Authentic Confidence at Work: A Practical Guide

Confidence isn't constant energy. It's being true to yourself

Welcome! Confidence at work isn’t about being bubbly all the time or performing for others. Real confidence comes from being your authentic self, even on quieter days. It’s about finding your voice, showing up consistently, and trusting that your contributions matter.

This guide is designed to help you build that authentic confidence. Through practical exercises, reflection prompts, and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to:

• Honour your energy and show up as yourself

• Communicate clearly and authentically

• Manage reactions from others without losing your calm

• Practise consistency and reinforce positive habits

Whether you’re preparing for meetings, presentations, interviews, or everyday workplace interactions, this guide gives you tools to feel grounded, focused, and confident in your own style.

This guide gives you practical exercises to start building confidence, but if you’d like personalised support, I offer coaching sessions designed to help you practise and strengthen these skills in real-time.

How to use this guide

This is not a one-time read - it’s a workbook you can revisit and practise regularly.

Here’s how to get the most out of it:

1. Read one section at a time. Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on one step, practise it, and reflect on your experience.

2. Complete the exercises. Each section includes practical exercises and reflection prompts. Take your time to write down your thoughts and actions.

3. Reflect and adjust. At the end of each week, review your progress. Notice what worked, what felt challenging, and what you can try next.

4. Anchor the lessons. Use the confidence mantras, reminders, and small daily practices to embed these behaviours into your routine.

5. Return as needed. Confidence is built gradually. Revisit sections whenever you need a boost, before important meetings, or during moments of self-doubt.

By approaching this guide as a series of actionable steps rather than just reading material, you’ll develop sustainable confidence that feels natural, authentic, and uniquely yours.

Step 1: Honour your energy

Notice your energy levels: Track when you feel naturally confident versus when you feel you’re “performing” for others.

Practice self-checks: Pause for a moment before meetings and ask yourself:

“Am I showing up as myself, or am I performing?”

Small actions: If you’re low on energy, try grounding techniques. A short walk, deep breaths, or focusing on your posture. Authentic confidence isn’t about being loud or high-energy; it’s about being present.

Exercise: Keep a daily journal for a week:

Note one situation where you felt authentic and confident, and one where you felt you were performing. Reflect on the differences.

Step 2: Own your reactions

Separate your value from others’ responses: Other people’s reactions reflect their perspective, not your worth.

Reframe feedback: When you receive criticism, ask yourself:

“What can I learn here?” rather than “Did I do badly?”

Respond calmly: Practise pausing before reacting. Take 3 deep breaths and speak from your authentic voice.

Exercise: Write down a recent situation where someone’s reaction affected you. Re-write it from the perspective of separating their reaction from your value, and identify one practical step you could take differently next time.

Step 3: Be consistent with your voice

Define your core behaviours: Decide how you want to show up consistently, e.g., speaking up in meetings, expressing ideas clearly, setting boundaries.

Start small: Practise one behaviour each day until it becomes natural.

Use reminders: Sticky notes, phone alerts, or brief mantras can anchor your intentions.

Exercise: Pick one core behaviour. Plan three small actions you can take this week to practise it. At the end of the week, reflect on what worked and what felt challenging.

Step 4: Communicate clearly and Authentically

Cut filler words: Notice when you say “um,” “like,” or “actually.” Pause instead and take a breath.

Structure your thoughts: For meetings or presentations, use simple structures like:

Main point > Example > Key takeaway.

Match words with body language: Posture, gestures, and tone reinforce your message. Practise in front of a mirror or record yourself.

Exercise: Choose one upcoming meeting or conversation. Outline your key points in 3 bullet points. Practise saying them aloud clearly and slowly.

Step 5: Reflect, Adjust, Celebrate

Weekly reflection: Write down moments when you felt authentically confident and what helped you.

Adjust strategies: Identify one behaviour to improve for the next week.

Celebrate small wins: Confidence builds gradually. Recognising progress reinforces authentic habits.

Exercise: At the end of each week, create a “confidence log.” List three wins (no matter how small!!) and note how being authentic helped.

Next Steps:

Well done for making it to the end of this guide! This guide is a starting point. If you'd like personalised feedback and practice that helps you feel confident, be heard, and show your value, let’s talk. You can book a free 30-minute audit with me where I’ll help you identify where you’re holding back and share 3 steps to show up authentically at work. You can book here: book your audit