Leading with Confidence: Practical Advice for Women in Leadership
By Keon Weems, Founder of Practical People Leader
Stepping into a leadership role can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for women who often face unique challenges in the workplace. Many of us struggle with feeling underprepared and questioning whether we have what it takes to lead successfully. The truth is, you do have what it takes—you just need the right tools to help you thrive in your role.
As a small business owner and leadership coach, I specialize in helping new managers who feel overwhelmed develop the skills they need to lead with confidence and ease. If you’re a woman new to management and feeling unsure, here are three quick, actionable tips that will not only help you overcome overwhelm but also see immediate improvements in your leadership effectiveness.
1. Set Clear Expectations from Day One
One of the biggest sources of frustration for new managers is misaligned expectations. When your team doesn’t fully understand what’s expected of them, it leads to confusion, missed deadlines, and low performance. Setting clear, measurable expectations right from the start is key to building trust and ensuring your team stays on track.
Actionable Tip:
Identify one task or project this week that hasn’t been going as smoothly as you’d like. Take a few minutes to meet with your team and clarify exactly what the end goal is, what success looks like, and the deadline for completion. You’ll likely see an immediate improvement in their performance and reduce your own stress in the process.
2. Communicate Effectively and Manage Difficult Conversations
Effective communication is one of the most critical skills for any leader, and it’s especially important for managing tough situations. Whether it’s giving constructive feedback, handling conflict, or navigating sensitive topics, being clear, direct, and compassionate in your communication will help you manage difficult conversations with confidence.
Actionable Tip:
The next time you need to have a difficult conversation with a team member, start by preparing a clear outline of the key points you need to address. Then, approach the conversation with empathy, focusing on behaviors rather than personal traits. This approach keeps the conversation productive and forward-looking, helping you maintain strong relationships with your team.
3. Schedule Regular One-on-Ones to Coach Your Team
Regular one-on-one meetings are an invaluable tool for helping your team develop and grow. These sessions give you dedicated time to check in on their progress, offer coaching, and help them meet the expectations you’ve set. One-on-ones also show your team that you’re invested in their success, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement.
Actionable Tip:
Set up a recurring 30-minute one-on-one with each member of your team. Use this time to ask them about their challenges, provide feedback, and help them develop strategies to meet their goals. Over time, these conversations will empower your team to take ownership of their work and relieve some of the pressure you’re feeling as a manager.
By incorporating these three simple yet powerful strategies, you’ll not only start to feel more confident in your leadership role, but you’ll also see a positive impact on your team’s performance. Leadership is a journey, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. What matters most is taking consistent steps toward growth.
About The Author
Keon Weems | Practical People Leader
With over a decade of experience leading teams and mentoring new leaders in the corporate world, Keon knows firsthand what it’s like to feel overwhelmed in management. As the founder of Practical People Leader, Keon is on a mission to help new managers—especially those feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and frustrated—develop the leadership skills they need to succeed with ease. Her approach is practical, no-nonsense, and designed to deliver quick, real results.
Through her coaching and programs, Keon empowers new managers to stop stressing and start leading effectively, turning managerial challenges into growth opportunities. She offers easy-to-apply strategies that transform overwhelmed managers into confident, capable leaders.
Work with Keon! To learn more about how she can help you level up your leadership game, visit http://www.practicalpeopleleader.com and connect with her via DM on Instagram at instagram.com/practicalpeopleleader.
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