The Myth of Being Ready: Why Women Hold Back (and How to Change It)
Why Waiting for 100% Qualifications Might Be Holding You Back
I remember reading somewhere that women often wait until they meet 100% of the qualifications before pursuing an opportunity.
I haven’t actually found the research behind it—but based on my experience, it feels very true.
I have seen it in my own career, and I’ve heard it from so many women around me—not only in the corporate world, but across different industries and roles.
Maybe this resonates with you too.
I know it still happens to me. And even now, I have to be intentional so I don’t fall into the same pattern.
Interestingly, this is something I’ve learned by observing many of the men I’ve worked with. They are often more willing to take risks, stepping into opportunities even if they don’t check every single box.
And I started asking myself—why don’t we do the same?
For a long time, whenever I looked at a new role or thought about my career growth, I approached it in a very structured way:
What does this role require?
Where am I today?
What are the gaps I need to close?
And to be clear—that’s a good practice. Self-awareness matters.
But the problem started when I used those gaps as a reason to wait.
I would hold back from applying or raising my hand until I felt “ready”—until I believed I had checked every box.
The reality is different.
Yes, qualifications matter. But many skills are developed in the process—through experience, exposure, and stepping into the unknown.
And sometimes, we already have more of what is needed than we realize. Not everything we bring comes from a job title. Many of our strengths come from experiences, challenges, and moments where we had to grow.
So why do we wait?
Sometimes it’s a lack of trust in ourselves.
Sometimes we become more selective—especially as opportunities become more senior.
And often, it’s the fear of hearing “no,” as if that closes the door to all other possibilities.
At one point, I decided to do a simple exercise that changed my perspective.
I looked back at everything I had done in my career and created a list of both my technical and soft skills—the full toolkit that had brought me to where I am.
And I realized something important: I had not been giving myself enough credit.
Seeing it all in one place helped me recognize the value I could bring—not just to one role, but to many.
That shift gave me more confidence to take thoughtful risks. Not reckless ones—but intentional steps forward, knowing I had a strong foundation to build on.
So if you’re waiting until you feel “ready,” this is your reminder:
You may already be more ready than you think.
Be brave enough to take the step.
Even if you don’t get the role you want, the experience will give you clarity, feedback, and perspective on what comes next.
Prepare for the conversation. Know what you bring to the table.
And most importantly—give yourself the same opportunity you would encourage others to take.
