---
title: The Confidence No One Can Give You (Or Take Away)
description: Explore highlights from our Energy of Leadership Live session with Anese Cavanaugh on building real confidence. Learn why inner alignment matters and how to lead from your truth.
image: https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/What%20Fueld%20Your%20Leadership%20Confidence%3F.png
---

[![Active_choices_horiz_wh (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Active_choices_horiz_wh%20(1).png "Active_choices_horiz_wh (1)")](http://www.activechoices.com/)

- [ABOUT ACI](https://activechoices.com/about/) 
    - [OUR COMPANY](https://activechoices.com/about/)
    - [THOUGHT LEADERSHIP](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/) 
          - [CULTURE & ENERGY INSIGHTS](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/)
          - [ACI IN THE MEDIA](https://activechoices.com/media/)
    - [CLIENTS & TESTIMONIALS](https://activechoices.com/about/clients/)
- [THE IEP METHOD®](https://activechoices.com/iepmethod/) 
    - [IEP METHODOLOGY](https://activechoices.com/iepmethod/)
    - [IEP METHOD® TRAINING](https://activechoices.com/work-with-us/#training) 
          - [INTRO TO THE IEP METHOD®](https://activechoices.com/introtoiep/)
          - [IEP METHOD® FOR TEAMS](https://activechoices.com/team-iep/)
          - [IEP METHOD® IMMERSION](https://activechoices.com/iep-performance-immersion/)
- [SPEAKING](https://activechoices.com/speaking/) 
    - [KEYNOTE SPEAKING](https://activechoices.com/speaking/)
    - [BOOKS & GUIDES](https://activechoices.com/writing/) 
          - [CONTAGIOUS YOU](https://activechoices.com/contagious-you/)
          - [CONTAGIOUS CULTURE](https://activechoices.com/contagious-culture/)
          - [THE LEADER YOU WILL BE](https://activechoices.com/lywb)
          - [IEP SURVIVAL GUIDE](https://activechoices.com/writing/#survivalguide)
    - [PRESS KIT](https://activechoices.com/contact/press-kit/)
- [WORK WITH US](https://activechoices.com/work-with-us/) 
    - [PRIVATE WORK WITH ANESE](https://activechoices.com/consulting/)
    - [KEYNOTES & WORKSHOPS](https://activechoices.com/speaking/)
    - [IEP METHOD® TRAINING](https://activechoices.com/work-with-us/#training)
    - [MEMBERSHIPS](https://activechoices.com/memberships/) 
          - [PRESENCE & IMPACT COMMUNITY](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/presence-subscription)
          - [PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP](https://community.activechoices.com/plans/1963254?bundle_token=08fde9318f4afab26ea82a9cb1ad6534&utm_source=manual)
- [SHOP](https://activechoices.com/store)
- [CONTACT US](https://activechoices.com/contact/)
- [MEMBER LOGIN](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/community.activechoices.com)

Search

- [![Follow Anese on YouTube](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/youtube_2.png)](http://www.youtube.com/anesecavanaugh)
- [![Follow IEP Method on Facebook](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/IEPMethod)
- [![Follow Anese on Twitter](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/anesecavanaugh)

# The Positive Energy Workplace

![](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/What%20Fueld%20Your%20Leadership%20Confidence%3F.png)

May 2, 2025   by [Anese Cavanaugh](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/author/anese-cavanaugh)

# The Confidence No One Can Give You (Or Take Away)

**Are you leading in a way that feels true to you?**

In our recent *Energy of Leadership — Live!* session, we explored what authentic, lasting confidence in leadership really looks like — and what gets in the way.

One of the biggest takeaways?

Your **confidence and congruence** — your ability to show up aligned with who you are, what you believe, and how you lead — is the one thing no one can give or take away from you. It’s yours. You build it. You protect it. You embody it.

And yet, many leaders (especially high-achievers) unintentionally outsource their confidence.

 

###### If you rely on applause, performance reviews, or constant reassurance to feel grounded, the effects are usually not going to last long.

Here’s the truth: **external validation is not a stable source**. If your confidence is only fueled by other people’s approval, it will rise and fall with the noise around you.

*That's why we’re inviting leaders to flip the script:*  
We all have the opportunity to develop a confidence that starts on the inside — rooted in clarity, presence, action, and yes, **congruence**.

Because the most impactful leaders aren’t the loudest in the room — *they’re the most aligned.*

If this resonates and you’re ready to build a more internally-sourced, sustainable confidence, .

 

## Ready for the Next Step?

**Join us for the full Confidence** **Equation™ Training**

**[![grow your confidence laptop](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hs-fs/hubfs/grow%20your%20confidence%20laptop.png?width=342&height=216&name=grow%20your%20confidence%20laptop.png)](https://community.activechoices.com/plans/1532909?bundle_token=3b67f419c5442c0de5bcd85bb1243f8f&utm_source=manual)**  
In this [course](https://community.activechoices.com/plans/1532909?bundle_token=3b67f419c5442c0de5bcd85bb1243f8f&utm_source=manual), Anese will walk you through the complete model we use with our executive clients and leadership teams — and you’ll leave with tools to strengthen your confidence, right away.

 

**Register here** → [ActiveChoices.com/Confidence](https://community.activechoices.com/plans/1532909?bundle_token=3b67f419c5442c0de5bcd85bb1243f8f&utm_source=manual)

 

> *"Our intention with the Confidence Equation is to help you build that confidence from the inside out so that when you are doing that, you can be even more effective in your leadership without draining your energy."* — Anese Cavanaugh

 

 

 

 

 in [Collaboration](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/collaboration)/ [IEP Method](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/iep-method)/ [Engagement](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/engagement)/ [Energy Leadership](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/energy-leadership)/ [Authenticity](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/authenticity)/ [Effective Leadership](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/effective-leadership)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

[![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/452797/8cecc8c8-a49c-4e43-91fc-720d993ea9ac.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/452797/8cecc8c8-a49c-4e43-91fc-720d993ea9ac)

[![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/452797/3321a8df-419f-4b36-8d10-c47bd87d13dd.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/452797/3321a8df-419f-4b36-8d10-c47bd87d13dd)

[![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/452797/89dcbbf0-c92e-4622-b57a-c457997a5596.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/452797/89dcbbf0-c92e-4622-b57a-c457997a5596)

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Leadership Tips (129)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/leadership-tips)
- [from Anese (110)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/from-anese)
- [Energy Leadership (89)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/energy-leadership)
- [Showing Up, IEP Method (63)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/showing-up-iep-method)
- [IEP Method (59)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/iep-method)
- [Effective Leadership (57)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/effective-leadership)
- [Self-Awareness (57)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/self-awareness)
- [Inc.com Column (49)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/inccom-column)
- [Authenticity (44)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/authenticity)
- [Engagement (40)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/engagement)
- [Collaboration (37)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/collaboration)
- [Leadership Presence (35)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/leadership-presence)
- [Anese Cavanaugh (34)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/anese-cavanaugh)
- [Organizational Culture (32)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/organizational-culture)
- [Stress, Overwhelm and Burnout (20)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/stress-overwhelm-and-burnout)
- [Cultural Health (19)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/cultural-health)
- [Work-Life Balance (18)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/work-life-balance)
- [leadership (15)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/leadership)
- [Creativity (14)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/creativity)
- [Contagious (10)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/contagious)
- [Books (9)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/books)
- [Virtual Presence (8)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/virtual-presence)
- [Navigating Change (7)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/navigating-change)
- [Feedback (6)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/feedback)
- [Presence (5)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/presence)
- [Team Work (5)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/team-work)
- [Events (4)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/events)
- [Positive Energy Workplace Initiative™ (4)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/positive-energy-workplace-initiative)
- [Bootist (3)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/bootist)
- [Contagious Culture (3)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/contagious-culture)
- [Intention (3)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/intention)
- [Resiliency (3)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/resiliency)
- [The Art of Bootism (3)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/the-art-of-bootism)
- [Client Retention (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/client-retention)
- [Contagious You (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/contagious-you)
- [Dare To Engage (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/dare-to-engage)
- [Featured (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/featured)
- [Practitioner (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/practitioner)
- [Project Impeccable (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/project-impeccable)
- [The Energy of Busy (2)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/the-energy-of-busy)
- [Credentials (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/credentials)
- [Effective Meetings (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/effective-meetings)
- [Hiring (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/hiring)
- [PandemicPlan100 (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/pandemicplan100)
- [Reset (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/reset)
- [Self-care (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/self-care)
- [inc (1)](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/topic/inc)

see all

© 2002-2026 Active choices, inc. | Anese Cavanaugh: Speaker. Author. Creator of the IEP Method®

- [Speaking & Books](https://activechoices.com/engage-with-anese/speaking/)
- [The IEP Method®](https://activechoices.com/pewi/iepmethod/)
- [Our Work](https://activechoices.com/engage-with-anese/organizationalsolutions/)
- [Engage With Us](https://activechoices.com/executive-forums/)
- [About ACI](https://www.anesecavanaugh.com/about/)
- [Contact & Press](https://activechoices.com/contact/)
- [Blog](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/)

- [![Follow Anese on YouTube](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/youtube_2.png)](http://www.youtube.com/anesecavanaugh)
- [![Follow IEP Method on Facebook](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/IEPMethod)
- [![Follow Anese on Twitter](https://blog.anesecavanaugh.com/hubfs/Images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/anesecavanaugh)