In this episode of the Decoding Confidence Podcast, Advita Patel explores what genuine empowerment looks like in the workplace, why it is so often misunderstood or poorly applied, and how intentional empowerment practices can build trust, confidence, and innovation.

Empowerment is frequently described as a leadership “soft skill,” yet when applied without clarity or trust, it can actually increase anxiety, self-doubt, and disengagement. Advita unpacks the difference between theoretical empowerment and lived experience, drawing on leadership research and real-world examples to explain why empowerment must be designed, not assumed.

The episode breaks down the four core components of empowerment—meaning, competence, autonomy, and impact—based on the work of Gretchen Spreitzer, and explores how missing even one of these elements can quietly undermine confidence. You’ll also hear why micromanagement, blurred boundaries, and unconscious bias often derail empowerment efforts, even in well-intentioned organisations.

Advita introduces the RISE model of self-empowerment (Reconnect, Invest, Shape, Embrace), showing why sustainable empowerment starts with individuals taking ownership of their confidence before attempting to empower others.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and internal communication specialists who want to move beyond empowerment as a buzzword and embed it as a practical leadership habit.

00:00 Why empowerment is everywhere but often misunderstood

Frontiers in Psychology 

Decoding Confidence: The Seven Habits of Confident Leaders – The RISE Model of Self-Empowerment

Email: [email protected]

What does confidence really look like at work?

In this episode, Advita Patel explores one of the most overlooked habits of confident leadership: integrity.

Confidence isn’t about bravado, visibility or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s built quietly through alignment—between what you believe, what you say and how you act. When those drift apart, self-trust erodes. When they stay aligned, confidence compounds.

This episode dives into how integrity shows up in everyday leadership decisions, why small compromises matter more than we realise, and how values-led choices build long-term credibility, trust and self-esteem.

Through real coaching stories and practical reflection tools, Advita shares how leaders can practice “micro-integrity moments” even under pressure—and why perfection isn’t the goal, consistency is.

If you’re navigating complex decisions, leadership tension or a quiet wobble in self-belief, this episode will help you reconnect with your values and lead with grounded confidence.

What confidence really means in the workplace

The seven core habits of confident leaders

Why integrity is foundational to trust and credibility

How misalignment between values and behaviour erodes confidence

Cognitive dissonance and the cost of small compromises

Practising micro-integrity in everyday leadership moments

Coaching stories from real clients navigating values tension

Weekly values check-ins and honest self-reflection

Why confident leadership is about alignment, not perfection

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to confident leadership and the seven habits

Resources

Jackie Le Fevre – Mini Essence Values Assessment 

Brené Brown – Work on vulnerability, values and courageous leadership

The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes & Posner – Trust and leadership research 

To find out more about Advita's work you can visit decodingconfidence.com. 

In this episode, confidence and leadership coach Advita Patel answers your most pressing questions about professional confidence, trust, and navigating the workplace with resilience. Whether you're challenged by workplace inclusion, self-doubt, or building habits that boost your confidence, this episode provides practical insights and strategies to support your growth.

Key Topics:

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Answering your workplace confidence questions

Resources & Links:

Feel free to reach out with follow-up questions or feedback, and don't forget to leave a review if you found this episode valuable!

In this episode of Decoding Confidence, Advita Patel explores why confidence at work is not a fixed trait but something that is built, stretched and sustained through continuous learning.

Drawing on her own experience as a leadership coach and communications consultant, alongside research from psychologist Carol Dweck on growth mindset, Advita challenges the idea that confidence comes from talent, seniority or “having it all figured out”.

Instead, she explains how learning fuels adaptability, resilience and self-trust, especially in fast-changing workplaces. You’ll hear practical, accessible ways to keep learning even when time feels tight, and why building a learning circle can significantly accelerate professional confidence.

This episode is for anyone who wants to feel more assured at work without waiting for permission, promotion or perfection.

Confidence is strengthened through continuous learning, not one-off achievements

A growth mindset helps leaders stay adaptable and resilient during change

Learning builds deeper, more sustainable confidence than talent or experience alone

Everyday learning can include shadowing, skill exchanges and attending diverse meetings

Creating a learning circle provides accountability, perspective and support

Shadowing colleagues outside your immediate role

Sitting in on meetings where you’re not the expert

Exchanging skills informally across teams

Reflecting on mistakes as data, not failure

Learning alongside others rather than in isolation

Introduction to Confidence (00:00)

The Myth of Permanent Confidence (03:00)

Learning as a Confidence Builder (06:00)

Practical Learning Strategies for Work (12:00)

Building Your Learning Circle (18:00)

Conclusion and Next Steps (24:00)

“Confidence is built through quiet moments in between big wins.”

Free download: 30-Day Confidence Challenge

Instagram & TikTok: @Decoding_Confidence

LinkedIn: Advita Patel

Email: [email protected]

In the next episode of Decoding Confidence, Advita explores integrity in leadership — why it’s often talked about, frequently misunderstood, and critical to building trust, credibility and confident leadership.

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

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.

Key takeaways:

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.