Women in Leadership:

What’s Really Holding You Back (And How to Change It)

The conversation around women in leadership is changing, but not fast enough. Many are still hesitating — not because they can’t lead, but because outdated beliefs and invisible barriers hold them back.

Let’s Be Honest: It’s Not a Lack of Talent

When we talk about women in leadership, the conversation often overlooks what’s really happening beneath the surface. I’ve coached incredible women—sharp, capable, intuitive leaders—who still hesitate when it comes to stepping up into leadership. And it’s not because they aren’t good enough. Often, it’s because they don’t feel ready. They think they need more experience, more qualifications, more time.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I’ve learned: women often self-sabotage before the world even gets a chance to say no. We question our worth, our voice, our visibility. Rather than evaluating ourselves honestly and backing our potential, we wait to be told we’re doing well.

That hesitation is costing us—individually and collectively.

The Hidden Barriers That Hold Women Back

Women in leadership isn’t just about corporate structure. It’s about confidence, conditioning, and communication. Too often, women hold themselves back before they’ve even had the chance to step forward.

Consider job applications. Research from Hewlett-Packard showed that men apply for roles when they meet about 60% of the criteria. Women, on the other hand, often wait until they meet 100%. Not because they aren’t qualified — but because they believe they must be (Harvard Business Review).

I see it all the time. Talented professionals, holding back—not because they lack ability, but because of inner narratives that whisper, “Not yet.”

There’s also a tendency to downplay success. Many shift credit to the team. Some talk themselves out of opportunities, fearing they’ll be seen before they’re ready.

Visibility can be just as intimidating as failure. Public speaking. Leading meetings. Having all eyes on you. For some, it’s enough to quietly decline the promotion—not due to lack of capability, but because they’re uncomfortable being seen.

These beliefs are subtle. Yet they’re powerful.

Why Confidence and Communication Matter

Communication Is a Core Leadership Skill

Women leadership development isn’t just metrics and strategy. It’s also about trust, clarity, and connection.

A strong leader reads the room. They communicate calmly. They handle pressure with composure. Most importantly, they bring people together.

The good news? These are all coachable skills. Many women already operate from a place of empathy, intuition, and relational awareness. However, they often haven’t been taught that those are leadership skills too.

And when we don’t see ourselves in the typical leadership mould, we pull back. Sometimes, we wait to be invited. That’s the part that needs to change.

This is exactly what we work on in my Executive Coaching programme. Because confidence and communication are the cornerstones of leadership, and they can absolutely be strengthened with the right coaching.

A Client Story: From Holding Back to Leading Boldly

I worked with a woman who had everything it took—experience, insight, emotional intelligence. Still, she believed she wasn’t ready.

She thought she needed more. More credentials. More proof. More permission.

Together, we worked through two promotion cycles. Over time, she began to see the real value of what she brought. Not just what was on her CV, but who she was when she led.

She didn’t suddenly transform overnight. Instead, she refined how she spoke about her work. She showed up with clarity. She stopped hiding behind humility. Eventually, she stepped into the leadership role she deserved.

Today, she’s the head of her organisation.

Not because she became someone else — but because she stopped waiting to be chosen.

So What Needs to Change?

We do. Women in leadership often struggle with visibility, not capability.

We need to stop waiting. No more hoping someone will spot us. It’s time to stop asking for permission to lead.

Let’s strengthen how we speak about what we bring. Own our value. Be visible — not perfect.

Most importantly, we need to support each other. This work is easier when you’re not doing it alone.

Let’s Get You Ready

Support Options for Women in Leadership

If you’re exploring women in leadership coaching in Dublin, you’re in the right place.

If any of this felt like your story, and you’re ready to invest in women in leadership development, let’s start there.

I work with women who are ready to:

Build confidence in how they speak and lead.
Get comfortable with visibility.
Step into senior roles without second-guessing.

This is what I teach through leadership coaching, public speaking skills training, and confidence coaching at work.

Let’s update the beliefs that are holding you back — and replace them with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

🔗 Book a free discovery call
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn
📩 Or Get in Touch directly

Leadership isn’t about being selected. It’s about preparing yourself to step forward — with confidence, clarity, and a voice that’s ready to be heard.

Meet the executive coach behind this article, based in Dublin, coaching globally.