Podcast Summary: Life with Marianna – Episode: Mastering Confidence in the Workplace with Kelly Rae Thompson
Release Date: October 29, 2024
In this empowering episode of Life with Marianna, host Marianna Hewitt sits down with Kelly Rae Thompson, an award-winning leadership and executive coach, keynote speaker, and the critically acclaimed author of Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck. Together, they delve deep into the nuances of building and sustaining confidence in the workplace, particularly focusing on promotions, career transitions, and overcoming professional challenges.
1. Understanding the Confidence Gap in Women
Kelly Rae Thompson opens the discussion by addressing the pervasive issue of the confidence gap among women in the workplace. Drawing from her book, she challenges the traditional narrative that attributes this gap solely to individual shortcomings.
"Confidence is a twofold approach. We need to see more people who look like us in leadership roles and address systemic workplace issues that hinder our confidence."
— Kelly Thompson [01:49]
She references the seminal Wharton study on the Confidence Gap, highlighting how women often perform better yet advocate less effectively for themselves compared to men. Kelly emphasizes that true confidence stems not just from individual affirmation but also from structural changes that promote diversity in decision-making roles.
2. Navigating Challenging Manager Relationships
Kelly shares strategies for thriving in environments where one might not have the privilege of choosing their manager. She underscores the importance of open communication and finding common ground to foster a productive working relationship.
"Approach the conversation with shared goals in mind. Highlight what both you and your leader value and find ways to align your personal challenges with organizational objectives."
— Kelly Thompson [05:24]
Using her personal experience with IVF treatments, Kelly illustrates how transparency and proactive problem-solving can bridge gaps with supervisors, even in less-than-ideal managerial relationships.
3. Building Confidence in Team Settings and Meetings
Addressing the reluctance many women feel in speaking up during meetings, Kelly encourages listeners to recognize and leverage their unique contributions.
"Pull people off the pedestal. You might underestimate your intelligence and overestimate others'. Own your unique perspectives and don’t wait to feel fully confident before speaking up."
— Kelly Thompson [07:40]
She recounts a pivotal moment from her career where she realized the necessity of voicing her ideas despite initial self-doubt, emphasizing that confidence often follows action.
4. Balancing Confidence with Compassion
Kelly distinguishes between confidence and cockiness, introducing curiosity as a key differentiator. She advocates for embracing one's directness while cultivating compassion to navigate workplace dynamics effectively.
"Cockiness is confidence without curiosity. As women, embracing our natural directness and pairing it with compassion allows us to lead authentically without succumbing to negative stereotypes."
— Kelly Thompson [13:58]
This balanced approach enables women to maintain their assertiveness without the fear of being labeled overly aggressive, fostering a more supportive work environment.
5. Aligning Ambition with Personal Values
Discussing the interplay between professional ambition and personal peace, Kelly advises women to ensure their career choices resonate with their core values, thereby preventing burnout and resentment.
"Finding balance starts by saying no to commitments that don’t align with your values. It’s about prioritizing what truly matters to maintain inner peace while striving for professional success."
— Kelly Thompson [16:59]
She highlights the importance of introspection before accepting new roles or responsibilities, ensuring that each step in their career journey is purposeful and fulfilling.
6. Handling Setbacks and Building Resilience
Kelly introduces the concept of adopting an experimenter's mindset to reframe failures as learning opportunities. She emphasizes self-compassion and the normalization of doubt as essential components of sustained confidence.
"We cannot criticize ourselves into more confidence. Instead, we should approach setbacks with compassion and curiosity, viewing them as experiments that contribute to our growth."
— Kelly Thompson [20:15]
Acknowledging that even top leaders like Indra Nooyi and Arianna Huffington experience doubt, Kelly reassures listeners that resilience is built through embracing and learning from challenges.
7. Mastering Annual Reviews and Advocating for Promotions
When it comes to advocating for promotions or raises, Kelly advises a strategic, data-driven approach. She underscores the importance of aligning personal achievements with organizational goals to make a compelling case.
"Prepare specific examples of how you've contributed to making or saving money, reducing risk, or leading change within the company. Use this data to advocate for your promotion or salary increase."
— Kelly Thompson [29:23]
In scenarios where initial requests are met with resistance, Kelly recommends seeking constructive feedback and setting clear, actionable goals to revisit the conversation in the future.
8. Rapid Fire Insights
In the episode's concluding segment, Kelly shares personal mantras and practices that bolster her confidence:
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Confidence Building Mantra: "Confidence is a side effect of taking action."
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Favorite Self-Care Practice: "Saying no."
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Small Win that Boosts Confidence: Celebrating each new enrollment or purchase in her programs as validation of her business model.
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Advice to Her Younger Self: "Trust yourself. Trust your gut. Trust all those little nudges that are happening inside. Don't ignore them."
Conclusion
Kelly Rae Thompson's insights offer a comprehensive guide for women aiming to enhance their confidence and leadership presence in the workplace. By blending personal anecdotes with actionable strategies, she empowers listeners to navigate their career paths with resilience, authenticity, and intentionality.
For those interested in further exploring Kelly's work, her book Closing the Confidence Gap is available on platforms like Amazon and Audible. Additionally, she maintains an active presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, providing continuous support and resources for aspiring leaders.
Notable Quotes:
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"Confidence is a twofold approach. We need to see more people who look like us in leadership roles and address systemic workplace issues that hinder our confidence."
— Kelly Thompson [01:49] -
"Pull people off the pedestal. You might underestimate your intelligence and overestimate others'. Own your unique perspectives and don’t wait to feel fully confident before speaking up."
— Kelly Thompson [07:40] -
"Cockiness is confidence without curiosity. As women, embracing our natural directness and pairing it with compassion allows us to lead authentically without succumbing to negative stereotypes."
— Kelly Thompson [13:58] -
"Finding balance starts by saying no to commitments that don’t align with your values. It’s about prioritizing what truly matters to maintain inner peace while striving for professional success."
— Kelly Thompson [16:59] -
"We cannot criticize ourselves into more confidence. Instead, we should approach setbacks with compassion and curiosity, viewing them as experiments that contribute to our growth."
— Kelly Thompson [20:15] -
"Prepare specific examples of how you've contributed to making or saving money, reducing risk, or leading change within the company. Use this data to advocate for your promotion or salary increase."
— Kelly Thompson [29:23]
This episode serves as a vital resource for women seeking to bolster their confidence, navigate workplace dynamics, and achieve their professional aspirations with grace and determination.