How to claim your space in your professional era
Written by Ana Amona, Confidence Coach at Raina Noir Coaching
Whenever I’m at a networking event and introduce myself as a Confidence Coach, I’m almost always asked: “So, how do you actually build it?”
It usually comes from the people you’d assume are the most self-assured in the room, the ones who seem to have it all figured out.
The truth is, confidence isn't a personality trait; it’s a skill developed over time.
It takes effort, discomfort, and occasionally, a few tears. It requires stepping out of our comfort zone to build a new one.
Many give up halfway, deciding it’s easier to stay as they are. They think if things aren't getting better, at least they aren't getting worse.
But in the professional world, we call that stagnation.
Stagnation is a leak; it starts in your personal life and eventually seeps into your career.
You might think your lack of confidence at home is separate from your job, but they are intrinsically linked.
It’s the reason you don’t speak up in meetings, or why you wait for someone to beg you to apply for an award and even then, you still talk yourself out of it.
It’s also why you cancel your gym session or "me-time" because a colleague has burdened you with a last-minute task. Don’t think I’m "having a go" at putting in the hours; I’ve done it myself.
Staying late to hit a deadline or build a business is one thing. But if you’re doing it out of fear or a need to please others, that isn't "hard work", it’s people-pleasing.
The good news? It’s never too late to start.
The sooner you begin, the better for your sanity and your CV.
Here are three things you can do right now:
1. Audit Your Values
Take a moment to sit down and list what matters to you. Are you investing your time in a career that aligns with who you are?
A lot of professional discontentment comes from a simple values mismatch.
When you work against your values, your confidence naturally drains away.
2. Try an Embodied Strategy
For those "dreaded" meeting days where you feel yourself shrinking, try this:
Take a deep breath, roll your shoulders back, plant your feet firmly on the floor, and think of someone who personifies the authority you want to project.
Occupy your space. Then, say what you need to say.
3. Know Your Rights
It’s much easier to stand tall when you know the floor beneath you is solid.
The Employment Rights Act 2026 has brought in huge changes for professionals, from better job security and the end of the two-year wait for protection, to a proactive duty for employers to protect your peace.
Knowing the law is a total power move. It gives you the "legal confidence" to back up your personal confidence.
I’ve put together a guide for my clients that breaks down these 2026 updates and how they can help you build genuine career confidence without the guesswork.
Confidence is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone.