Written By Cari Borden

There’s something I’ve been reflecting on, personally, professionally, and honestly, daily.
Confidence.
That quiet, sometimes loud, presence that enters the room before you say a word.

Sometimes it’s celebrated. Other times, it’s misunderstood. Or worse, resented.

In the workplace, confidence can be both a blessing and a trigger.
For the one who carries it? It’s often earned, rooted in experience, resilience, and clarity.
For others watching? It can feel like a spotlight, exposing everything they haven’t yet worked through.

And this is where it gets tricky…

Those with emotional intelligence see confidence as a sign of authenticity and alignment.
Those still wrestling with ego? They often misread it as arrogance, threat, or competition.

I’ve seen this play out too many times to count, and I’ve been on both sides.
Confidence is something I’ve learned to trust in myself. But it didn’t come without growing pains. I’ve had to polish it, shape it, and learn when to let it speak and when to let it rest.

I’ve also seen what happens when others shrink in its presence, not because you did anything wrong, but because they haven’t yet done their own work.

And here’s the reality: every workplace has both.
The confidently misunderstood who need validation and fine-tuning…
And the quietly unsure who need someone to help them dig into the roots of their insecurity.

That’s where I come in.
I coach both.
I guide both.
I help people survive, and grow, on either side of this dynamic.

Because confidence doesn’t need to be dimmed.
And insecurity doesn’t need to be shamed.
They both just need to be understood, with emotional intelligence, honesty, and a little grit.

So, whether you’re the one whose light feels too bright, or the one squinting in discomfort…
Come find me. We’ve got work to do, and trust me, you’ll come out stronger for it.