Confident At Work

Why do you sometimes feel small around senior people at work, even when you're experienced, capable and know what you're talking about? Perhaps you find yourself questioning what you have to say, worrying about sounding stupid, holding back in meetings or becoming much more self-conscious around people with greater seniority or authority. In this episode, we're exploring why this happe...

Why do you stay quiet in meetings, even when you know you have something to say? If you struggle to speak up at work, hold back in meetings or replay conversations afterwards, this episode will help you understand what's really going on. Rather than simply telling yourself to be more confident, I'll take you through a practical exercise to uncover what you're worried might happen, what...

What does it really mean to have authority at work - and how do you build it? As you become more senior, trusting your own expertise, judgement and decisions becomes increasingly important. But self-doubt, self-criticism and the need for external approval can make it difficult to recognise the authority you already have. In this episode of the Confident At Work podcast, Anna Manning explores how t...

Does getting more senior at work automatically make you more confident? Not necessarily. As I approach two years of doing F45, I've been thinking about what lifting heavier weights has taught me about building confidence at work. As your career progresses, you take on bigger responsibilities, make higher-level decisions, present to senior stakeholders and lead more people. But if your confidence h...

Are you struggling with low confidence at work because of your boss or manager ? If a difficult boss is making you doubt yourself, second-guess your decisions or question whether you’re good enough at your job, this episode is for you. Your manager doesn’t have to be openly bullying or toxic boss you for their behaviour to affect your confidence. They might be critical, unpredictable, dismissive o...

What is the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset , and how does your mindset affect confidence at work ? In this episode, we explore how fixed and growth mindset can influence workplace confidence , particularly when you make mistakes, receive difficult feedback, try something new or get something wrong. You'll learn: The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth minds...

Why can you feel anxious at work when you know, logically, that nothing is wrong? Maybe it happens when you speak up in meetings, give a presentation, make a decision, speak to senior people, deal with conflict or put yourself forward . You know you're not actually in danger. But your brain and body can react as though you are. In this episode, Anna Manning explores anxiety at work, low confid...

Brain fog, losing your train of thought and what happens to your confidence when your brain goes blank. Ever forgotten what you were saying halfway through a sentence? In this episode, Anna Manning explores brain fog, losing your train of thought, forgetting words and going blank in meetings — and how it can affect your confidence at work. Anna shares how she responds in these moments to stay in a...

Do you freeze, go blank or struggle to speak up in meetings — even when you know what you want to say? One reason you may keep freezing in meetings isn't what happens during the meeting. It's what happens afterwards . If you leave meetings replaying what you said, focusing on what went wrong, worrying about how you came across or criticising yourself for not speaking up, you may be creatin...

Interview nerves are incredibly common - but interview anxiety shouldn’t stop you applying for jobs or promotions you’re capable of getting. In this episode, Anna Manning explores how to feel more confident in an interview, even when interviews make you nervous. You’ll learn: Why you don’t need to eliminate interview nerves How to identify what you’re actually afraid will happen The Fear → Reality...

Delegation can be surprisingly difficult — especially when you’re a capable, conscientious professional who is used to getting things done yourself. In this episode of Confident at Work , Anna Manning explores why managers often hold onto too much work, struggle to trust others, or worry that delegation means losing control. You’ll learn how to delegate without dumping, micromanaging or rescuing,...

Ever find yourself procrastinating on something you need to do - not because you’re lazy, but because you’re worrying, overthinking or just feeling stuck? In this episode of Confident at Work , Anna Manning shares a simple three-step tool to help you move forward when your confidence, emotions or fear are getting in the way: Notice. Accept. Support. A practical approach to understanding what’s hap...

Wondering if joining the Confident at Work Programme could help you? ⁠ Book a free 30-minute consultation with Anna ⁠ to talk through what you’re experiencing at work and whether the programme could be a good fit. ---------- Fixing one confidence problem at work only to find another? You get better at speaking up in meetings… then struggle with presentations. You become more confident with senior...

Do you avoid difficult conversations because you’re worried about upsetting someone or damaging the relationship? In this episode of Confident at Work , Anna Manning explores Radical Candour, why capable professionals can struggle with giving honest feedback, and how fear of conflict, people-pleasing and worrying about what others think can get in the way. You’ll learn how to give clear, construct...

You want people to trust you, believe in you and see the value in you? Then you have to go first. In this episode, I explore why confidence at work starts with the relationship you have with yourself — and how self-doubt can quietly stop capable professionals from speaking up, putting themselves forward and taking opportunities. If you want to feel more confident at work, trust yourself more and s...

Do you ever find you're doubting yourself at work? Learn how to build self-trust with one simple confidence tool. Maybe you’re preparing for an important meeting, delivering a presentation, starting something new, or stepping into a bigger role — and your brain starts doubting. In this episode of the Confident At Work Podcast , we explore one simple tool to help you move from self-doubt to self-tr...

In this episode, we explore a powerful question for competent but not confident professionals: Would you actually want to work for you? Many high-performing professionals are skilled at their jobs but struggle to feel confident in themselves. Despite strong performance, their internal “manager” is often critical, perfectionistic, and focused on mistakes rather than progress. We explore how this in...

Have you ever suddenly lost confidence at work — even though nothing about your performance changed? In this episode, Anna Manning explores why confidence can disappear quickly, even when your capability and experience remain strong. This often happens when something in your environment changes — a manager leaves, KPIs shift, recognition drops, or a promotion feels less secure than expected. Many...

Struggling to set boundaries at work? In this episode of the Confident at Work Podcast, confidence coach Anna Manning explores why setting boundaries is essential for professional confidence, preventing burnout, and creating sustainable ways of working. You'll learn a simple definition of a boundary, why people often struggle to enforce them, and how concerns about conflict, being liked, or appear...

Many professionals believe confidence comes from doing more — more preparation, more control, and more effort to manage anxiety. But real change often looks very different. In this episode, Anna Manning explores what happens when situations at work that used to trigger anxiety — meetings, presentations, or high-pressure conversations — start to feel noticeably easier. Instead of trying to perform...

Have you ever been told "no" at work and wondered whether you should keep pushing or just accept it? In this episode of Confident at Work, I'm sharing the story of a client who was told not to apply for a promotion just 48 hours before the application deadline. Instead of backing down, she chose to advocate for herself, build support for her application, and keep going despite the setback. What ha...

Have you ever felt stuck at work? This week’s episode is a client story exploring how certain work environments can trigger self-doubt, low confidence, procrastination, and burnout — even in highly capable professionals. When one professional joined an organisation to drive change, she found herself in a culture that operated very differently from her preferred working style. Instead of recognisin...

“Think positive” sounds like good advice — but in difficult situations, forced positivity often creates more pressure, self-doubt, and emotional conflict. In this episode, we explore why “think powerful” is a more effective mindset for building real confidence at work, emotional resilience, and self-trust under pressure. You’ll learn: Why fake positivity can weaken confidence The difference betwee...

In this episode, Anna shares a simple but powerful skill for confidence: how to stop letting the voice in your head lead you at work. Using a real story from before delivering a keynote to 200 people, Anna explains how self-doubt and overthinking show up — and how to respond without letting them take over. You’ll learn: ​How to stop believing every anxious thought ​A smarter way to respond to your...

In this episode, we explore the psychological cost of treating yourself like a “personal brand.” The language of self-branding has become so normal that many people dont question it. But what happens when your work life starts feeling less like living — and more like managing perceptions? This episode looks at: why “personal branding” can quietly increase anxiety and self-consciousness the exhaust...