Leadership confidence is what turns vision into action. It’s the steady bridge that allows ideas to move from inspiration to execution. True confidence is more than charisma—it’s presence, resilience, and authentic self-belief that inspires others to follow willingly. Unlike arrogance, which is rooted in ego, real confidence is grounded in self-awareness and experience. This creates the magnetic pull that transforms skeptics into supporters and empowers teams to go further.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Confident leaders carry presence. They demonstrate awareness, decisiveness, and the ability to adapt under pressure.
• Confidence has many styles. Some leaders are bold and outspoken, while others are quieter but equally direct and effective.
• Resilience fuels confidence. Abraham Lincoln’s leadership confidence was built through years of failure, persistence, and growth.
• Confidence vs. arrogance. True confidence is rooted in reality, data, and self-awareness—not unfounded bravado.
• People know the difference. Teams instinctively sense when a leader’s confidence is genuine or false.
• Confidence influences effort. Followers decide how much discretionary energy they’ll invest based on their leader’s confidence.
• Three keys to building leadership confidence:
  1. Develop deep self-awareness.
  2. Abandon perfectionism.
  3. Gain clarity about your role and expectations.

Leadership confidence isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about cultivating the presence and resilience to guide others through uncertainty. When leaders show up with grounded confidence, they create space for trust, innovation, and collective success.

Ready to take the next step? Visit 7bigconsulting.com
to schedule your complimentary discovery call today. Begin transforming your leadership journey with the clarity to lead and the confidence to succeed.

The Power of Clarity in Leadership

Clarity is the foundation of exceptional leadership, yet it’s one of the most overlooked skills in today’s fast-paced workplaces. Too often, leaders and teams get lost in assumptions, personal stories, and the busyness of daily tasks—leading to confusion, wasted time, and unnecessary frustration. In this episode of Shelly on Your Shoulder, Shelly Saeger explores how clear communication not only prevents misunderstandings but also empowers teams to succeed.

Key insights from the episode:

• Meanings aren’t in words, they’re in people. A phrase like “have it by Friday” can mean very different things depending on who hears it.
• Three major barriers to clarity: assumptions and biases, the stories we tell ourselves, and the distraction of busyness.
• Define success up front. Leaders should clearly articulate what success looks like so team members know exactly what’s expected.
• Take 30 seconds now, save hours later. Confirming understanding upfront prevents wasted effort, rework, and frustration.
• Clear is kind, unclear is unkind. Vague directions create anxiety, hesitation, and second-guessing.
• Clarity begins with self-awareness. Great leaders start by knowing what kind of leader they want to be.
• People want to succeed. Most employees genuinely want to do good work—they just need clarity about what that looks like.

Clarity isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about respect. When leaders take time to communicate with precision, they build trust, reduce stress, and empower their teams to thrive.

If you found today’s episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and encourage someone who’s ready to gain the clarity to lead and the confidence to succeed.

Shelly Saeger introduces her new leadership podcast designed to help leaders navigate challenges with practical advice and real-world wisdom. She shares her journey from aspiring journalist to leadership coach and consultant, revealing how her passion for helping others find their voice has shaped her career and approach.

• Started with dreams of being a National Geographic journalist before discovering her passion for teaching and helping others succeed
• Worked in corporate learning and development across multiple industries, specializing in leadership development
• Drew inspiration from her grandmother who modeled how to listen, validate, and guide others to solve their own problems
• Created the podcast after hearing from clients that her advice was "like having Shelly on your shoulder" during challenging situations
• Each episode will feature conversations about specific leadership topics with actionable insights for leaders at all levels
• First official episode will focus on clarity, which Shelly believes is the foundation of good leadership
• Aims to build a community of growth-minded, impact-oriented leaders who can learn from and with each other

Have ideas for episode topics? Contact Shelly through the form at sevenbigconsulting.com. Subscribe and share with someone who's ready to find the clarity to lead and the confidence to succeed.