Humility and confidence have a symbiotic relationship. True confidence means knowing and believing in your own abilities, and humility occurs when you overcome the challenges it takes to develop those abilities.

I've learned that true confidence doesn't mean having all the answers. It's about showing up, listening, leading with heart and having lots of faith. Staying humble keeps me grounded, and that balance helps me connect with others more genuinely.

I lead with confidence by staying rooted in service and every decision I make comes from love, respect, and the desire to lift others. True strength is shown through humility, because leadership is never about ego; it's about impact. Confidence for me means walking boldly in my vision while keeping my heart open and approachable. Humility keeps me grounded; confidence keeps me moving forward. I've learned that real leadership is the balance of courage and compassion projecting strength while remembering that humility and authenticity are what make people trust and follow you.

Balancing confidence with humility in leadership means owning your strengths and speaking with clarity, while also remaining open to feedback and collaboration. For women, it's about leading with authenticity and asserting your value while staying grounded, and letting results, not stereotypes, define your impact.

I find that a genuine smile goes a long way with people. You know the one that blends into to your eyes? My voice projects confidence, but my smile shows affection and openness.

In a male-dominated industry, confidence walks a fine line between being respected and being labeled. I've learned to lead with proof, results speak louder than volume ever will. Staying humble doesn't mean staying quiet; it means staying teachable, even when you know your stuff. Confidence is earned through consistency, not ego, and that's what keeps people listening.

Being human is at the heart of confident, authentic leadership. I admit when I make mistakes, stay open and collaborative, and share the 'why' behind decisions. It not only builds trust, but also creates a sense of ownership and buy-in that makes the team feel like true partners in the process.

Confidence brings direction; humility brings connection. In implementation science, progress depends on balancing both - knowing when to lead and when to listen.

Let your work speak for itself. You don't have to be the loudest, bragging about your achievements. I prefer working in silence, working side by side with my team and mentoring their growth. Work with integrity, because someone is always watching. Know your worth and keep your work ethics. That's louder than anything else.

Confidence with empathy has been the recipe for me. Women have to know their worth and be kind. Kind and powerful.

I present myself as myself. I do not think I am better or worse than others, rather, I recognize that each of us possess inherent dignity. For me, that dignity is rooted in my belief in God and the goodness of God's creation inclusive of all people and all the other creatures of this Earth. I am a person of habit, most of them very healthy. I practice care for myself, my 2 beagles, and family members, colleagues, and friends. Among these friends are the members of my Church community, who have taught me how to welcome 'the neighbor' as sister and brother. I have learned that my integrity as a professor depends on respect for my students and others whom I serve in volunteer activities. I hold a posture of respect for everyone without exception.

For me, balancing confidence with humility in leadership is about showing up prepared, owning my expertise, and listening actively. Being confident doesn’t mean dominating the conversation, it means being clear about the value I bring while staying open to others’ perspectives. In my role as Executive Assistant to the CEO at Gracemark Solutions, I’ve learned that leadership is earned through trust, consistency, and authenticity. I approach meetings with clients and colleagues knowing my contributions matter, but I also remain approachable, curious, and willing to learn from every interaction. Ultimately, I’ve found that confidence paired with humility builds trust, encourages collaboration, and creates space for authentic leadership, one that inspires others to bring their best selves to the table.

I believe confidence and humility are not opposites they’re sacred partners in leadership. Confidence is the fruit of clarity, conviction, and calling. Humility is the posture that keeps us teachable, relational, and anchored in purpose. As a woman leading across nonprofit, clinical, and entrepreneurial spaces, I’ve learned that strength doesn’t require performance it requires alignment. I don’t lead to prove anything; I lead to steward what’s been entrusted to me. That shift, from striving to stewardship, has changed everything.

Projecting confidence while staying humble has been a lifelong balancing act. For me, confidence comes from preparation, experience, and truly knowing my “why.” Humility, on the other hand, comes from remembering that leadership is service. It’s not about being the loudest in the room, but about lifting others and creating space for their voices too.

For me, confidence and humility aren't opposites; fthey're complementary strengths. Confidence allows me to step into rooms where decisions are made; humility keeps me listening to the people who make those decisions matter. Early in my career, I learned that leadership isn't about proving you're the smartest person in the room. It's about creating space for the best ideas to rise, even when they aren't your own. In roles where I've led large, high-performing teams across healthcare and M&A, confidence has meant trusting my judgment and standing firm in strategic direction. But humility has meant acknowledging when I don't have all the answers, asking better questions, and surrounding myself with people whose perspectives challenge and strengthen my own. That combination builds credibility and trust which is the real foundation of leadership. I've also learned that humility doesn't mean shrinking yourself to make others comfortable. It means staying grounded, remembering where you started, and recognizing that every success is collective. Confidence gives you voice; humility gives that voice purpose. Practically, I balance both through reflection and feedback. I carve out time each week to assess what went well, where I could have handled something better, and how my team is experiencing my leadership. I make a point to celebrate others publicly and own my missteps privately. Authentic leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about being present, consistent, and human. Confidence earns respect, but humility sustains it. Leading with both has allowed me to inspire trust, empower others, and keep growing no matter how high I climb.

For me, confidence and humility aren't opposites; they work hand in hand. Confidence, for me, comes from preparation, purpose, and showing up even when it's uncomfortable. It's not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about being the most consistent, doing the work, following through, and standing on integrity when no one's watching. Humility keeps me grounded. It reminds me that leadership isn't about position or power, it's about people. Every person I meet through the justice and mental health systems carries a story that matters, and those stories remind me why I do this work. My time as a Navy Hospital Corpsman taught me to lead with empathy and calm under pressure. Now, working within Specialty Treatment Courts, I've learned that accountability and compassion can coexist and when they do, real change happens. I stay balanced through reflection, listening, and allowing feedback to shape how I grow. I don't have all the answers, and I don't need to; what matters is creating space where others feel seen, heard, and valued. Leading with strength and authenticity means letting confidence flow from integrity, and allowing humility to guide every step forward.

Throughout my 31-year journey with Assembly Fasteners, I've learned that true confidence doesn't come from proving yourself. It comes from preparation, consistency, and integrity. Humility, on the other hand, comes from recognizing that leadership is a privilege built on trust, not authority. I've always believed that every person, regardless of title, brings value and perspective to the table. Balancing confidence with humility means leading with authenticity. Being open to feedback, showing appreciation for others, and being willing to apologize or admit when you're wrong. Those moments of honesty build far more respect than trying to appear infallible. Confidence allows you to lead with clarity; humility keeps you grounded and approachable. Together, they create the kind of leadership that inspires trust and brings out the best in others. "Humility is not denying your strengths, humility is being honest about your weaknesses."

For me, confidence and humility are not opposites, they're partners. True confidence comes from knowing who you are and whose you are, while humility reminds you that every gift, opportunity, and success is not achieved alone. My confidence is rooted in purpose, not pride. I've learned that when you lead from a place of service, you naturally project strength without overshadowing others. I stay grounded by surrounding myself with people who tell me the truth, not just what I want to hear. Prayer and reflection also keep my heart aligned, reminding me that leadership is about stewardship, not spotlight. I can stand tall because I know my confidence doesn't come at the expense of others, it's meant to help others rise. Balancing confidence with humility means showing up authentically, leading with grace, and never forgetting that the same God who elevates us also calls us to serve with compassion and integrity.

For me, confidence and humility are not opposites; they're complementary forces that, when balanced, create authentic leadership. Confidence lives in humility; it's what gives strength its grace and direction. Confidence allows me to speak clearly, make decisions, and guide teams toward results. Humility keeps me grounded, listening deeply, and open to learning from every person in the room and in every circumstance in life. In my work leading Project Management and Implementation teams, I've learned that confidence isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where the right answers can emerge through collaboration. I make it a practice to ask thoughtful questions, acknowledge when I don't know something, and empower others by sharing knowledge and inviting them to contribute their expertise. That openness builds trust and strengthens the team. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to lead with service in mind. When my focus shifts from "How do I prove myself?" to "How can I help this team succeed?", both confidence and humility fall into alignment. Strength comes from preparation, consistency, and integrity; humility comes from gratitude, empathy, and curiosity. My daily practice includes quiet reflection with God, at the start and end of each day, to celebrate wins without ego and to identify where I can grow. That rhythm keeps me both grounded and inspired, allowing me to lead with conviction and compassion at the same time.

Even in moments when I didn't feel my best, I've learned to give myself grace. I'm still teaching and reprogramming myself to remember that I do everything to the best of my ability and that my best is enough, whether others see it or not. Through every change and challenge, I've learned to meet myself with compassion and resilience. Confidence isn't about being perfect; it's about being present. That truth grounds me in grace and keeps me connected to my authenticity and purpose. Not every day is perfect, but every day holds purpose. When I feel my best, I perform at my best and when I don't, I lead with grace. That balance between strength, authenticity, and compassion is how I continue to grow and lead with confidence.

Confidence didn't come easy. It was built one hard decision at a time. Early in my career, I thought leadership meant always having the answer. Over time, I learned it's about having the courage to listen, decide, and own the outcome. The Army taught me to stand tall, but experience taught me to bend when needed. Today, as a Command Sergeant Major, I balance both through presence. I stay close to the formation, listen to the pulse of the team, and remind myself that leadership isn't about position. It's about consistency. Confidence gives me the voice to speak truth. Humility gives me the space to receive it. Looking ahead, I lead with the awareness that the next generation is watching how we carry both. My goal is to leave them not just better trained, but better grounded and confident in their craft, yet humble in their character. The truth is, confidence sets your posture. Humility sustains your purpose. And together, they shape the kind of leader you become in uniform and beyond it.

I project confidence, humility, and approachability by engaging in conversations and actively listening. Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates respect and openness to others' perspectives. Admitting when I make mistakes and seeking feedback for improvement helps me maintain authenticity and humility. Prioritizing team accomplishments over personal achievements fosters a collaborative and supportive environment. Self-awareness: Regularly reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses enables me to lead with a balanced perspective. Developing empathy, self-control, and social skills helps me understand and connect with others on a deeper level.

When I am asked how I project confidence while still remaining humble, approachable, and deeply grounded, my answer is this: Confidence and humility are not opposites, they are partners. Confidence is knowing who you are. Humility is remembering how you got there. And resilience is what keeps you standing in the moments that test both. I project confidence because I know my purpose. I know the assignment God placed on my life. I prepare. I study. I reflect. I commit to excellence not to impress others, but to honor the calling on my life. Furthermore, confidence, for me, is not loud. It does not shout. It is a quiet certainty. A steady presence. A knowing. But humility reminds me that I did not arrive here alone. I am the result of mentors who poured into me, loved ones who supported me, communities who trusted me, and lessons that shaped me. I have been stretched. I have been refined. I have endured moments that could have broken me but instead, they built me. This is where resilience lives. Resilience is not just "bouncing back." Resilience is rising differently. It is choosing to grow from what was meant to limit you. It is the ability to stand again wiser, stronger, softer, and more grounded. So how do I lead with confidence and humility? I speak with clarity but not arrogance. I set high expectations but I lead with compassion. I give direction but I always make room for others' voices. I walk in assurance but I check my ego at the door. And I listen. I listen to understand, not just to respond. I listen because leadership is relationship not position. The practices that keep me aligned are intentional: I start with gratitude. I reflect before I react. I lead with service, not spotlight. I center purpose, always. And I leave space for God to do what only God can do. Because the truth is when you are walking in your purpose, you do not have to force doors. You do not have to compete for visibility. You do not have to prove your worth. Your presence speaks. Your character speaks. Your resilience speaks. And your leadership becomes an invitation not a performance. So yes I lead with confidence. Yes, I stay humble. Yes, I remain approachable. And every day, I choose resilience not because it is easy, but because the assignment is bigger than me.