There’s a common belief in the modern working world that women are less confident than men. It’s sometimes called, pinning the potential of success on women as individuals rather than the social systems they work within and it’s evenBut new research suggests that the opposite is true: in 2024, female business leaders are significantly more confident that they have the right skills to be successful at work than their male counterparts.
Although HP’s research didn’t specifically investigate why women business leaders are more confident this year compared to last, there’s a few likely drivers behind the trend. And women are better supported by their workplaces as well. “Many companies are investing in and placing a greater emphasis on training and resources specific to human skills, such as empathy training, which may be empowering women with the confidence to stretch and grow their skills in these areas,” Neil Sawyer, HP’s U.K. and Ireland managing director who worked on the report, says.
“The confidence gain is notable. For the past two years our Work Relationship Index research has found women business leaders around the globe feel more confident than men,” said Sawyer.