From Nervous Wreck to Workplace Rock Star: Your Confidence Guide
Written by Monique Jordan-Cave
Your Career Bestie
Workplace Confidence Is Your Career Superpower
(How to Own It)
Hello, fellow Soul Leader,
You’re not here to play small.
You’re here to own the room, whether it’s a marketing pitch, a music exhibition or a Netflix boardroom.
The truth?
Confidence in the workplace isn’t something you either have or you don’t.
It’s something you build, grow, and wear like a crown every single day.
Whether you’re stepping into your first management role or you’re a seasoned pro in the entertainment industry, marketing, or creative arts, confidence is your ultimate secret weapon.
It’s what gets you seen, heard, and respected — without selling your soul or pretending to be someone you’re not.
Let’s break it down.
Here’s your no-fluff, no-fear guide to confidence in the workplace and how you can start winning from the inside out.
1. Own Your Energy (Even When You’re Freaking Out Inside)
You walk into a meeting, a rehearsal, a pitch, and boom, the nerves hit like a freight train.
Guess what?
Totally normal.
Confidence isn't about never being scared.
It's about showing up, nerves and all, and owning the space anyway.
Energy speaks louder than words, especially in creative industries where first impressions are everything.
Here’s how to boost your energy:
👍 Body language first: Shoulders back (aligned with your hips), stand tall (root your feet into the ground), make eye contact like you mean it. Your body tricks your brain into feeling powerful.
👍 Positive self-talk: When the gremlins start whispering “You’re not good enough,” you shut them down with “I’m made for this.” Or better yet, challenge those negative thoughts “Why am I not good enough”. 9 times out of 10, you’re lying to yourself.
👍 Visualise success: Close your eyes and see yourself walking into that room calm, collected, and killing it. Your brain believes what you show it.
🔥 Quick mindset hack: Before walking into a room, tell yourself:
"I am the energy I want to experience here."
When you control your vibe, you control the room.
Even if your knees are knocking under the table.
2. Master the Art of Speaking Up Without Apologising
Look, I get it.
Sometimes speaking up feels like you’re putting a giant target on your back.
Especially in marketing brainstorms, the finance meeting, or production sets where things move fast and egos move faster.
But here’s the truth:
Quiet is safe. Loud is powerful.
And you, my friend, are here to be powerful.
Here's how to speak up like a pro (without feeling like a jerk):
❌ Drop apology words: Eliminate “just,” “sorry,” and “maybe” when they’re not needed. ("I think this might be a good idea?" Nope. Try: "This is a great idea because...")
✅ Practice your points: Rehearse saying your ideas out loud at home, in the car, to your cat, wherever. Your mouth needs to feel the words before they feel natural in the room.
✅ Stay curious, not defensive: Ask questions like “Can you tell me more about that?” when challenged. It keeps you confident without being combative.
🌟 Speaking up doesn't mean speaking over. It means showing up with enough belief in yourself to know your voice matters.
3. Learn Like a Boss (Instead of Faking It Till You Break It)
Yeah, "fake it till you make it" sounds sexy.
But let’s get real:
Learning is the true shortcut to confidence.
If you're in industries like film, TV, theatre, or marketing, things change at lightning speed.
New tech, new trends, new ways of thinking.
If you're always learning, you're always growing and growth is the foundation of real confidence.
Here’s how to do it right:
👂 Ask for feedback: Not just "Was I good?" but "What could I improve for next time?" Growth is a superpower.
👀 Own your mistakes fast: Dropped the ball? Messed up a few numbers in the budget? Fumbled a presentation? Cool. Learn the lesson. Level up.
🧠 Stay a lifelong student: Read the books, watch the YouTube tutorials, take the masterclasses. Your brain is your best asset.
🎯 Confidence doesn't mean knowing everything. It means trusting yourself to figure things out.
4. Let’s get something straight:
You cannot be confident if you’re constantly exhausted, overextended, and low-key resentful.
In creative industries, people often push, pull, and expect way too much because "it's part of the hustle."
(Spoiler alert: It's not.)
Setting boundaries is radical self-respect, and it fuels your confidence like nothing else.
How to start:
👉 Say “No” like a full sentence: No excuses, no explanations needed.
👉 Protect your time: Meetings that don't move the needle? Decline politely. Collaborations that drain you? Say thanks but no thanks.
👉 Prioritise your peace: Not every call needs answering, not every opportunity needs chasing. Some “Nos” clear the path for bigger “YESes.”
💬 Big truth: Every boundary you set is a love letter to your future legendary self.
5. Celebrate the Heck Out of Your Wins (Big and Tiny)
If you’re waiting to feel confident until you get THAT promotion, land a starring project, or close a million-dollar ad campaign...
You’re going to be waiting a long time, my friend.
Confidence grows in the tiny wins.
It’s a muscle you build by noticing every time you show up, speak up, and step up, even in small ways.
How to celebrate like the star you are:
📝 Start a Win List: Every small success gets written down. Got positive feedback? Nailed a tough phone call? Hit a scary milestone? Write it down.
💡 Reward yourself: Treat yourself to something small after victories: a fancy coffee, a dance party, a new journal.
🤝 Share your wins proudly: Not from arrogance, but from inspiration and pride. Your story could light someone else’s fire.
🌟 Confidence doesn’t wait for the mountain top. It’s built one tiny, brave step at a time.
You’re Ready to Shine
Confidence in the workplace isn’t magic.
It’s a muscle, and the more you flex it, the stronger it gets.
You don’t have to be fearless to be powerful.
You just have to be willing to show up, stand up, and own your greatness one small brave move at a time.
✨ Subscribe to The Coaches Corner Newsletter
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💡 Where are you ready to show up more fully, starting today?
Let me know in the comments below.
Over to you!
MJx
Please feel free to share this article with a loved one, friend or colleague.
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