Own Your Worth

Preparation is powerful. We all know that feeling of walking into a meeting or interview knowing we have done our homework. We have our numbers ready, our evidence of results, and our story straight. But so often women still find themselves hesitating when it is time to make the ask. Whether it’s a conversation about salary, a new role, or additional budget, many of us are comfortable explaining why we deserve it but far less comfortable stating what we want.

This hesitation is not about ability or knowledge. It is about confidence that has been chipped away over time by cultural norms, expectations, and unconscious bias. Women are often praised for collaboration and adaptability, but rarely encouraged to claim space boldly and with self-assurance. So, when the question comes, ‘What are your salary expectations?’, even the most capable leaders can feel their confidence waver.

Recent findings reinforce this experience. According to an Indeed survey, just 43% of women globally have ever asked for a raise, despite 56% believing they are not paid enough. Additionally, 61% of women globally believe “they need to work harder for recognition than their male counterparts,” according to the survey, which polled more than 14,500 women across 11 countries.

The data also highlights global contrasts. When having this conversation, women in India reported a higher level of confidence (53%) versus a global average of 30%. At the other end of the spectrum, very few women in Japan are raising the subject of pay. Just 13% have asked for more money during their careers, and only 16% say they would feel comfortable making that request.

Confidence in these moments is not arrogance, it's advocacy. It is about valuing your contribution and recognising that asking for what you need does not make you demanding or difficult. It makes you aligned with your worth.

Many of the women we speak to are the biggest cheerleaders for other women, their colleagues, students and friends, but rarely shine the same enthusiasm on themselves. That’s a mindset that needs to shift, and being part of a network is a perfect place to find encouragement and advice from others, as well as the confidence to be your own cheerleader. When women come together to share their experiences, something changes. You realise that the moments you once saw as personal weaknesses are, in fact, shared experiences across the sector. The discomfort, the hesitation, the second-guessing, they lose their power when spoken out loud. That is the strength of connection. 

This is not only about salary and career progression. It also applies to flexible working, which is now a core part of how many women achieve balance and progression. Research published by the International Labour Organization in December 2024 shows that access to flexible working plays a material role in women’s ability to enter and remain in good work and to progress in their careers. Flexibility is not a perk, it is a pathway to equity and opportunity.

Yet many women still hesitate to ask for it. A Fawcett Society survey found that 77% of women would be more likely to apply for a role if it advertised flexible working. At the same time, 61% of women said they would feel uncomfortable requesting flexible working in the first week of a new job. Even with the UK’s new right to request flexible working from day one, further research found that 30% of employees would still not feel comfortable requesting formal flexibility, and 31% would not feel comfortable requesting informal flexibility. These figures emphasise that confidence and culture change must go hand in hand with policy.

So, how can you strengthen your confidence in your daily practice?

Start by rehearsing your “ask” out loud. It may sound simple, but saying your number, your request, or your goal clearly and calmly helps you become comfortable hearing it in your own voice. Practise until it feels natural rather than forced.

Second, collect evidence of your impact and keep it somewhere visible. Whether it is positive feedback from a colleague, results from a successful project, or a personal win, these reminders ground you in fact, not feeling. When you can point to clear evidence, your confidence has a solid foundation.

Third, make reflection a habit. After every meeting or negotiation, take a moment to note what went well and what could be stronger next time. Confidence grows when you treat every experience as practice rather than a pass or fail moment.

Finally, surround yourself with people who lift you up. Join networks that celebrate women’s leadership and make space for honest conversations about challenges and success. Listen, learn, share, and ask. Confidence is contagious when you are part of a community that believes in your potential as much as you do.

Preparation is powerful, but preparation alone is not enough. You already have the skills, experience, and insight that make you a leader in your field. The next step is to voice it with the same conviction you use to support others.