If data shows companies with more women in leadership are 25% more profitable, yet Fortune 500 boards are still ~70% male, we need to stop pretending it's a pipeline issue. It’s a confidence gap — and a systemic blind spot.
Praesta coach Hande Yasargil, board leader and INSEAD coach, has worked with countless talented women blocked from the C-suite. She’s identified 7 subtle but pervasive confidence patterns that keep women from stepping fully into leadership. These aren't personal shortcomings — they’re socially reinforced behaviors we can unlearn.
Every company that overlooks this loses not just talent, but billions in unrealized value. Want to lead better? Start by listening. Start by coaching. Start by changing the rules that reward visibility over substance.
The question isn’t “Where are the women?”
It’s “Are we creating space for their leadership to thrive?”
Repost if you believe it's time to act, not just talk.