From Insecurity to Empowerment: Building Your Confidence as a Latina Leader

Today, I want to have an honest conversation about confidence. I often get asked if I’ve always been this confident—and the answer is, Definitely No! Confidence wasn’t something that came naturally to me. Insecurity ran the show for most of my life.

Back then, I took everything personally. If I received even the slightest critical feedback, it felt like a personal attack or judgment. This reaction would cause me to shut down, spiraling into a cycle of shame that only made me hide more. I’d end up feeling like my worth was constantly on trial, and I had no way out of that cycle. I was my own worst judge. I wanted to change but I didn't know how. Coaching played an instrumental part in my journey and things began to change when I realized that confidence is something you build—one small step at a time.

Here’s How I Started My Confidence Journey

I didn’t wake up one day feeling empowered and ready to face the world. I had to work on healing from within. Therapy was a big part of that journey; it allowed me to address childhood issues, like being seriously bullied for my limb difference and feeling emotionally neglected. These were scars I carried into adulthood, and they deeply affected how I saw myself and the world around me.

But with time, I learned how to nurture my inner child by practicing compassion for myself. I started to care for myself the way I would care for a friend. I surrounded myself with people who uplifted and supported me, creating a community that reinforced my growth. There were no giant leaps—just baby steps that gradually built my confidence and resilience.

Even now, some situations can make me feel self-doubt, but I’ve built a level of resilience where I know how to self-coach myself back into the present. I remind myself that I am safe from within, that my worth is not up for debate, and that I have the power to rise ant doubt.

Key Strategies for Building Confidence

If you’re on this journey too, I want to share some steps that worked for me and might help you:

1. Manage Your Self-Talk: Start with catching that inner critic or judge and reframing its words. Just because you think something, doesn't make it true. With practice, self-compassion can become your automatic response.

2. Be Your Own Best Friend: Cheer yourself on like you would a friend. Self-compassion allows you to grow without harsh self-judgment, which has been one of the biggest confidence boosters for me.

3. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care sends the message to your mind and body that you are valuable. It’s not just a manicure; it can be setting boundaries in place, too. Self-care is an act of self-respect.

4. Lean Into Discomfort: Growth comes when you allow yourself to sit in the discomfort and still push through. Taking on new challenges, even small ones, creates lasting confidence.

5. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Let go of perfectionism. Each experience is a chance to learn, not to prove. I learned to approach mistakes as lessons, which kept me moving forward. Done is the new perfect! Progress over perfectionism.

6. Take Courageous Risks: Putting yourself out there is the ultimate act of courage. Remind yourself that each step—no matter how small—is training your courage muscle for bigger and better things.

7. Build a Supportive Community: Your circle is your foundation. The right people will remind you of your worth when you’re struggling to see it for yourself.

Let’s Build Confidence Together

When you build confidence from the inside out, you’re no longer afraid to be seen—you permit yourself to truly shine. That’s the kind of confidence I want to help you cultivate. If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, I’d love to support you through 1:1 leadership coaching. You can book a call with me here and together, we’ll work on personalized strategies to help you advocate for yourself, show up authentically, and embrace your unique strengths as a Latina professional. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone—let’s build the confidence you deserve, step by step.

Con mucho cari?o y confianza,

Ruby