CLIENT STORY: From Doubt to Decisiveness—How Amy Reclaimed Her Confidence in Leadership

Name: Amy
Position: Senior Director
Challenge: Navigating rapid promotions and organizational changes while maintaining confidence and decisiveness.
Result: Clarity in decision-making, a renewed sense of confidence, and a well-balanced approach to leadership.

“When all else fails, I go back to my values. This program helped me solidify those, and now I make decisions with confidence, knowing they align with what truly matters to me. It’s changed the way I lead, the way I show up, and the way I trust myself.”

— Amy

Before Working with Sara…

Amy had been with her company for over 20 years, steadily climbing the ranks and taking on increasing responsibility. However, in recent years, the pace of change had accelerated dramatically. Promotions came quickly, bringing higher stakes and more exposure. What had once felt like a steady career path suddenly became a whirlwind of decisions, expectations, and visibility.

“I was used to being decisive,” Amy recalls. “But last year, I found myself doubting everything—from my career choices to everyday decisions. It was overwhelming.”

Adding to the pressure was the knowledge that every move she made was being watched. Her team looked to her for guidance, colleagues measured her responses, and leadership expected her to perform seamlessly. The weight of it all became exhausting.

Amy’s Key Insights

• Confidence doesn’t come from external success. Despite promotions and accolades, Amy struggled internally with self-doubt and pressure.

• Decisiveness requires a foundation. Without a clear internal compass, every decision felt monumental. Learning to lean on her values provided the clarity she needed.

• The power of a support system. The community aspect of the program became an unexpected source of strength, offering validation, shared experiences, and new perspectives.

The Breakthrough Moment

Amy vividly remembers the moment her newfound clarity solidified. A leadership opportunity arose that would require significant travel, and for the first time, she didn’t wrestle with the decision.

“I went back to my values,” she explains. “Balance was one of them. When I thought about being away from my family 50% of the time, it was clear that this wasn’t the right move for me.”

Her decision was validated in an unexpected way when her son, upon hearing about the opportunity, responded: “I’m glad you didn’t take it, Mom. We only have four years left together at home, and if you were gone half the time, that would only be two.” That moment reinforced that she had made the right choice. And we got a little emotional reflecting on that.

The Lasting Impact

Through the program, Amy gained:

• A clear decision-making framework based on her core values.

• The ability to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence.

• Tools to maintain her energy and focus, including building sustainable habits like daily walks that have become essential for her clarity and creativity.

She also experienced an unexpected mindset shift: “I thought I didn’t have time for something like this, but it actually saved me time. Instead of agonizing over decisions, I trust myself and move forward.”

What Should Others Know About Working with Sara?

Amy emphasizes that the program isn’t about adding another task to an already packed schedule—it’s about integrating powerful insights into your daily life.

“The program isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about learning how to lead yourself first. Once you do that, everything else becomes easier. The way I show up for my team, my family, and myself has completely changed.”

What’s Next for Amy?

Amy is focused on applying what she’s learned, continuing to refine her leadership approach, and maintaining the balance she has worked so hard to achieve.

“I’m looking forward to turning up the dial on my presence—not by working harder, but by being even more intentional with how I lead.”

Her biggest takeaway? Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build by knowing yourself, trusting yourself, and leading from within.

Want to become an influential leader and get promoted without being someone you’re not? Find out more about working together on this here.

CLIENT STORY: How Emotional Triggers Were Stalling Katie’s Career—And How She Broke Through

Have you ever walked out of a meeting replaying a moment where you got defensive, over-explained, or completely shut down? You know it wasn’t a huge deal, but something about it felt bigger than it should have.

Katie, a senior leader in customer operations, was no stranger to this. She was doing all the “right” things to advance—taking on big projects, speaking up in meetings, and advocating for herself. But despite her efforts, something still felt off. She wasn’t getting the traction she expected, and feedback like “You need more executive presence” wasn’t helping her understand why.

The Hidden Roadblock: Emotional Triggers

When Katie joined my Breakthrough Program, she rated her leadership confidence at a 2 out of 10. Not because she lacked skills—she was highly capable—but because her emotional reactions were shaping how others perceived her.

Emotional triggers are those knee-jerk responses that feel bigger than the moment calls for. They might show up as:

🔹 Getting defensive when challenged
🔹 Over-explaining to prove credibility
🔹 Shutting down in high-pressure situations

None of these reactions reflect actual ability, but they do impact how others see you. And when you’re in a leadership role, perception is everything.

The Shift That Changed Everything

Through our work together, Katie identified the patterns driving these reactions. She realized they weren’t about the situation in front of her—they were about old, deeply ingrained beliefs about how she should show up as a leader.

Once she uncovered those patterns, everything changed. She:

✔️ Stopped reacting and started leading with intention
✔️ Developed a calm, confident executive presence
✔️ Strengthened relationships with her team and peers
✔️ Landed a well-earned promotion

By the end of the program, Katie rated her confidence at a 7+—a huge shift in just a few months.

Why Career Strategies Alone Aren’t Enough

Many high-achievers believe career success comes from doing more—learning new skills, taking on bigger challenges, or perfecting their external presence. But as Katie’s story shows, real growth happens when you address what’s happening internally.

Promotions don’t happen just because of what you do—they happen because of who you are as a leader. And that starts with understanding and shifting the unconscious patterns that hold you back.

If you’ve been feeling stuck despite doing all the right things, it might not be about strategy at all. It might be about what’s running in the background.

Want to explore this for yourself? Let’s talk. Shoot me an email with the word Triggers, and I’ll send you a few questions to see if we’re a good fit to work together.

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***Unlock your authentic leadership potential with the BREAKTHROUGH coaching program—designed to help ambitious women lead with confidence, clarity, and impact; visit⁠ saraobriencoaching.com/breakthrough⁠ to get started.

Free Guide: 2-Second Confidence Shift for High-Stakes Meetings:

Visit ⁠saraobriencoaching.com⁠ to Download the Guide today.

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Keywords: 

Keywords: Recognized at work, career growth, leadership confidence, professional success, burnout recovery, work-life balance, visibility at work, career advancement, leadership mindset

Timestamps:

1:52 – What are emotional triggers?

5:31 – Katie: The confidence myth that kept her stuck

9:22 – Katie:  Trust in yourself is one of the biggest components of confidence

12:33 – How Katie got the promotion

17:54 – Myth: “Just tell me what to do”

21:39 – Next steps for getting recognized at work

Music Credit:Track Title: Over YouArtist: AtchSource: YouTubeLicense: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Music Credit:

• Track Title: Over You

• Artist: Atch

• Source: ⁠YouTube⁠

• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)