Welcome to your Confidence Catalyst newsletter, helping you speak up, step up and stand out.

For years, I was convinced I wasn’t strategic enough.

You know the type of person I mean.

That leader who effortlessly saw around corners. Who could connect the dots before everyone else. Who always seemed three steps ahead.

I thought that was what being strategic looked like.

So I did what many ambitious women do.

I tried to fix what I believed I lacked.

I bought books on strategy.

I read articles.

I watched how other leaders behaved and tried to emulate them.

I spent too long trying to become something I thought I wasn’t.

Then I completed my Gallup Strengths assessment.

To my surprise…

Strategic was in my Top 5.

I remember staring at the report thinking, That can’t be right.

Because I’d spent so long comparing my version of strategic thinking with someone else’s that I’d completely missed how it naturally showed up in me.

It wasn’t about dominating meetings.

It wasn’t about having all the answers.

It showed up in how I connected ideas, anticipated problems and helped people see possibilities they hadn’t considered.

I’ve now seen exactly the same thing happen with so many senior women.

“I wish I was more strategic.”

Then we look at their strengths…

Strategic is sitting right there near the top.

And even when it isn’t, they already possess other talents that allow them to think strategically.

That’s one of the things I love most about Gallup.

There isn’t a hierarchy of strengths.

No “lesser” strengths.

No “leadership” strengths.

No strengths that mean you’re destined to succeed while others don’t.

They’re all equal.

It’s simply about understanding how your natural talents help you achieve the outcomes you want.

Take me as an example.

Relationship Building themes barely feature in my Top 10.

Yet people who know me would probably describe me as someone who builds deep, meaningful relationships.

Why?

Because my No. 2 strength is Responsibility.

One of my core values is Compassion.

Those combine to create trust.

People know I’ll follow through.

They know I’ll care.

They know I’ll show up.

The result looks like great relationship building, even though that’s not technically where my talent themes sit.

That’s why I think so many of us spend our careers looking in the wrong direction.

We’re constantly scanning for what we don’t have.

Trying to become more like someone else.

Trying to compensate for perceived weaknesses.

Instead of asking…

What do I already have that I’m underusing?

Because your greatest career advantage rarely comes from trying to fix yourself.

It comes from recognising your natural patterns of excellence and aiming them deliberately at the career you want.

That’s exactly what happens in a strengths coaching session.

Yes, you’ll discover your Gallup talent themes.

But more importantly, you’ll learn how they’ve already shaped your success, how they influence the way you lead, and how to use them intentionally to become more visible, influential and confident.

Confidence doesn’t come from pretending to be someone else.

It comes from deeply understanding who you already are.

This week, I’d love you to try one simple exercise.

Instead of asking yourself, “What do I need to get better at?”

Ask yourself…

“What strengths am I already using that I’ve been taking for granted?”

You might be surprised by the answer.

And it might just change the way you see yourself.

And as always, if you would like to delve deeper into your natural talent themes, reply to this email and we can make that happen!

Have a great rest of the week

Kirsteen