5 Strategies for Success to Overcome the Confidence Gap

In the heart of Canada's bustling Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation industries, women are increasingly taking center stage, shaping the future with their leadership, creativity, and resilience. Despite our undeniable impact, a shadow looms over our progress—the confidence gap. This gap may seem like a personal issue, but in truth, it is a collective challenge that demands attention and action. Through the advice of industry leaders like Mansi Vagt and Gizelle Paré, we uncover the complexities of this gap and identify strategies you can put in place for yourself now, toward bridging this gap.

Unpacking the Confidence Gap

The confidence gap is a complex interplay of societal, organizational, and personal factors that hinder women's advancement and fulfilment in their careers. We need to first understand the gap so we can address it to foster a more inclusive and equitable culture. 

One of the most productive findings of gender research focusing on gender gaps is that women systematically provide less positive accounts of their own performance and abilities relative to their equally performing male counterparts1. The confidence gap refers to the disparity between men and women in their self-belief regarding their skills, achievements, and worth.

This gap is fueled by several key factors. Traditional gender roles, stereotypical assumptions, and the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions significantly contribute to the confidence gap within the Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation industries. This gap is exacerbated by the lack of visible role models, leaving women without benchmarks of success to aspire to, further impacting their ability to see themselves in higher roles. Moreover, women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of caregiving responsibilities, a challenge intensified by the demanding nature of these industries, known for their irregular hours and peak seasons. This imbalance can hinder women's aspirations and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, implicit biases and a workplace culture that does not actively support diversity and inclusion can subtly influence hiring, promotion, and evaluation processes, steering a further disadvantage toward women. Together, these factors create a complex barrier to closing the confidence gap, underscoring the need for systemic changes to foster a more inclusive and equitable professional environment. So, what does this mean for you?

I invited Mansi Vagt, former Global Brand Leader & Vice President at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Gizelle Paré, Pastry Chef at CinCin Ristorante in Vancouver, BC, to share their perspectives on their strategies and quickly recognized it all started with a personal shift.

Strategies to Fuel Confidence

Bridging the confidence gap requires a multifaceted approach, combining personal development with systemic change. Men are not exempt from doubting themselves—but they don’t let their doubts stop them as often as women do2. As an experienced professional leadership coach who helps women succeed, here are some tactical tips and insights you can put to practice to boost your confidence, starting with a small step that can yield big results. 

1. Seek Mentoring and Sponsorship 

Build relationships with mentors and sponsors who can provide you with guidance, support, and advocacy. These relationships can help you navigate your career paths, gain new opportunities, and see your potential reflected in the success of others. Mentorship programs like WORTH’s speak directly to fostering a community of support to spark relevant and meaningful connections within our industries.

Mansi shares her reaction when her name was brought forward for a new opportunity by a sponsor, "I might think, ‘I don’t know if I can do this, but this person thinks I can.. Can I?’. And there you have it, the moment of self-doubt creeping in. But ultimately - this is actually what helps you build your self-confidence. As Wayne Gretzky said, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Learning from these experiences helps confidence grow, as Mansi further explains, emphasizing the value of practice in becoming comfortable with discomfort and seizing growth opportunities.

2. Develop a Growth Mindset

Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities to learn and grow. A growth mindset fosters resilience and encourages us to step out of their comfort zones, essential for building confidence. 

Gizelle personifies this approach. "I have something inside me that pushes for growth, but at the same time, as you try to push yourself, it is tough to shine through when you are being cast in someone else’s shadow,” she shares. Gizelle’s persistence and intentional career moves underscore the importance of resilience and continuous learning in overcoming setbacks and nurturing confidence as a skill.

3. Leverage Your Network

Actively seek opportunities to increase visibility within and outside the organization. This could involve taking on high-profile projects, speaking at industry events, or contributing to professional forums. Networking builds relationships, opens up opportunities, and reinforces professional identity and confidence. Making strategic connections with people who can vouch for your skills can help you showcase your unique value proposition - something your potential sponsors have an eye out for.

4. Negotiation Skills

Practice negotiation skills as it brings about an innate strength of knowing your worth, and how to advocate for it. This is important to cultivate for salary discussions, role expansions, learning opportunities, and project assignments which can all be catalysts to even more visibility of your profile and skills. Start now, as this plays a bigger role in helping you clarify your goals and ask for what you rightly deserve, which feeds into your confidence.

5. Continuous Learning through Personal and Professional Development

Invest in your continuous growth and learning - you deserve it! Be it formal education, workshops, or online courses, learning broadens your skillset, fuelling your personal and professional development. This journey of learning empowers you to immediately apply new insights to your work, significantly enhancing your expertise and confidence.

Closing the Gap

Organizations, leaders, and individuals all have roles to play in fostering an environment where women can thrive with confidence. By embracing change, challenging stereotypes, and supporting one another, we can bridge the confidence gap, creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic industry for everyone.

Confidence is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Your skills, insights, and leadership are invaluable. With each step forward, you're closing the gap for yourself and paving the way for future generations of women to lead with confidence, courage, and resilience.

About Shobna

Shobna Kannusamy B.Eng, COC, ACC is the Founder and Principal Coach at Soirette Connections where she coaches leaders in business and their teams. She is also host of the Colour Me Brave Podcast. Shobna’s journey led her from engineering to hospitality, opening her own bakery in downtown Vancouver, which she successfully ran for 10 years. She gained national recognition for her innovation and became a judge on Food Network’s Wall of Bakers. Shobna holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, a Diplôme de Pâtisserie from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Ottawa and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Coaching from the University of British Columbia. She serves her community as Chair of the Board of Directors at Growing Chefs!, and as a mentor through WeBC, DiverseCity and the Canadian Prosperity Project.

References:
1. Bleidorn, Wiebke, Ruben C. Arslan, Jaap J. A. Denissen, Peter J. Rentfrow, Jochen, E. Gebauer, Jeff Potter, and Samuel D. Gosling. 2016. “Age and Gender Differences in Self-Esteem-A Cross Cultural Window.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

2. Zenger, J., & Folkman, J. (2021, January 25). The Confidence Gap in Men and Women: How to Overcome It.