In this episode of Decoding Confidence, Advita explores why empathy is one of the strongest signals of confident leadership in the workplace and why it’s so often misunderstood.

Empathy isn’t about being nice, soft, or fixing people. It’s about taking others’ experiences seriously, staying present in difficult conversations, and responding in ways that build trust, clarity, and confidence over time.

Drawing on leadership research, real-world coaching experience, and practical examples, this episode breaks down what empathy actually looks like at work, how it shows up in leadership behaviours, and why confident leaders practise empathy consistently, not occasionally.

You’ll hear why empathy creates steadier conversations, stronger teams, and better decision-making, and how small, everyday micro-habits of empathy can have a powerful impact on workplace culture. We also explore the often-overlooked role of self-empathy, and why confident leaders must extend compassion inward before they can lead others well.

This episode is for leaders, managers, communicators, and anyone who wants to build confidence at work without losing their humanity.

• What empathy really means in leadership (and what it doesn’t)

• Why empathy is a clear signal of confidence at work

• How empathy strengthens trust, communication, and team effectiveness

• The difference between words and behaviours when it comes to empathy

• Why self-empathy matters for confident leadership

• How empathy shows up through small, consistent actions

• Why empathy is a habit, not a personality trait

00:00:14 Introduction to confidence and empathy 00:01:41 Empathy as a leadership habit 00:02:57 Understanding empathetic leadership 00:05:23 Taking others’ experiences seriously 00:10:06 What empathy really looks like at work 00:13:29 Empathy beyond words 00:16:07 Empathy in action 00:19:35 Empathy for oneself 00:25:05 Conclusion: micro-habits of empathy

Resources

30-day Confidence Challenge

If you want to explore coaching further with Advita you can find out more by visiting: https://decodingconfidence.com/coaching/

In this episode of Decoding Confidence, confidence and leadership coach Advita Patel explores boldness as one of the most misunderstood yet essential habits of confident leadership.

Boldness isn’t about being loud, dominant, or always having the last word. Boldness is about acting according to your values, even when it feels uncomfortable. It’s about managing fear, not waiting for it to disappear.

At the heart of this episode is a simple truth: confidence is built through habits, not personality traits. And boldness is one habit every leader can learn.

• Why boldness isn’t about being loud, but about clarity, conviction and self-belief

• How confident leaders act according to their values, even under pressure

• Why strategic preparation is essential for confident decision-making

• How managing fear plays a crucial role in bold leadership

• Why cultural intelligence is key in boldness, especially in diverse workplaces

• How collective boldness supports growth within teams and organisations

• Why reflective growth aids understanding and strengthens long-term confidence

• Preparing intentionally so you can act with confidence when it matters

• Using practical tactics to cultivate boldness without changing who you are

• Building shared confidence and psychological safety in teams

• Reflecting on your actions to turn experience into self-belief

Download the 30-Day Confidence Challenge and boost your confidence by 30% in 30 days, one percent at a time.

The challenge is built around small, practical micro-habits designed to help you:

• Strengthen self-belief without overwhelm

• Build confident behaviours into your daily routine

• Take consistent action, even on low-energy days

• Turn confidence into something you practise, not perform

Perfect if you want to move from understanding confidence to actually living it.

🎧 Listen to this episode of Decoding Confidence, then download the 30-Day Confidence Challenge and start building boldness, one small habit at a time.

In this episode of Decoding Confidence, Advita explores the true essence of confidence, emphasising trust in oneself and others. She discusses the misconceptions around confidence, self-esteem, and courage, and how these elements interplay in professional settings.

Advita also touches on cultural intelligence and the impact of micromanagement on confidence. The episode encourages listeners to redefine their own sense of confidence and offers practical insights for building self-trust.

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Decoding Confidence
• 00:03:00 Understanding Confidence and Self-Esteem
• 00:09:00 The Role of Trust in Confidence
• 00:15:00 Cultural Intelligence and Leadership
• 00:21:00 Micromanagement and Its Impact
• 00:27:00 Building Confidence Through Self-Trust

Key takeaways:

• Confidence is about trusting yourself, not bravado.
• Self-esteem is your sense of worthiness.
• Courage involves acting despite fear.
• Micromanagement can undermine confidence.
• Cultural intelligence affects how confidence is perceived.
• Confidence is a trainable skill, not innate.
• Feedback should come from trusted sources.
• Confidence varies across different life areas.
• Psychological safety fosters confidence.
• Confidence grows through small acts of self-trust.

Resources

What is Cultural Intelligence?

Stop telling women they have Imposter Syndrome

Brene Brown Books

Free 30 Day Confidence Challenge

Explore 1-2-1 coaching with Advita

Decoding Confidence: The 7 Habits of Confident Leaders will be published in May 2026. Pre-order available now.

Each episode will explore one habit in depth, looking at how it shows up in real working lives, especially when you’re navigating pressure, visibility, responsibility or change. We’ll talk honestly about what helps, what gets in the way, and how to build confidence without pretending to be someone else.

The seven habits we’ll explore are boldness, empathy, learning, integrity, empowerment, vulnerability and energy. You don’t need to master all of them at once. In fact, part of this work is recognising which habits you lean into naturally, and which ones need more care and attention.

This podcast also sits alongside my upcoming book, Decoding Confidence, launching in May 2026, where I go deeper into the ideas and research behind these habits. Think of this as a more conversational space to reflect, pause and apply what confidence really means for you.

If you’re someone who wants to lead with clarity, self-trust and humanity, you’re in the right place. You don’t need to become louder, tougher or more polished. You just need space to understand yourself better and permission to grow.

Thank you for being here. In the next episode, we’ll start with the first habit: boldness, and what it really means to act with courage when doubt is sitting quietly in the background.

If this resonates, make sure you follow or subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

You can find out more about my work on professional confidence by visiting www.decodingconfidence.com.