Confidence is not something leaders are handed; it is something they build. For many emerging professionals, especially those who are new to an organization, industry, or country, confidence can feel fragile. Add in moments where others underestimate your abilities, and the climb becomes even steeper. Yet across It’s Personal Stories, leaders consistently showed that confidence grows from clarity, preparation, self-awareness, and the courage to learn publicly, mistakes and all.

The most respected voices in hospitality, CEOs, founders, innovators, and culture-shapers, did not start out confident. They built it brick by brick. Their stories reveal the practical steps anyone can take to strengthen confidence even in environments that may initially overlook them.

1. Let Curiosity Lead the Way

Curiosity is one of the fastest paths to confidence. Andrea Foster, EVP Hospitality for MindClick, shared, “If you stay curious, you’re never stuck. Questions lead you forward.” Her perspective reframes confidence not as knowing everything, but as wanting to learn. Similarly, Glenn Haussman, host of No Vacancy, said his turning point came when he embraced asking questions without fear: “The moment I stopped pretending and started asking, I grew.” Curiosity becomes a confidence engine, one that keeps professionals moving even when they’re unsure.

2. Do the Work Others Don’t See

Confidence deepens when actions reinforce capability. John Murray, CEO of Sonesta Hotels, emphasized the power of quiet preparation: “You don’t have to be loud to be credible, you just have to be consistent.” Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, echoed this belief: “Show up early, do more than you’re asked, and care deeply, people notice.” For new or underestimated professionals, invisible effort often becomes visible over time. Preparation and reliability create gravity.

3. Know Your Value, Even When Others Don’t Yet See It

Feeling underestimated can chip away at self-belief, but leaders advise anchoring confidence internally rather than externally. Cindy Estis Green, Co-Founder & CEO of Kalibri Labs, said, “You have to decide for yourself what you’re capable of before anyone else does.” Similarly, Mary Li, Founder & CEO of Atlas, described her early struggles entering boardrooms where she was often the only woman and the only person of color. Her advice: “Walk in as yourself, don’t shrink. People remember the ones who stand tall in their truth.” Confidence grows when self-worth is not outsourced.

4. Build Competence and Let Confidence Follow

Confidence built on skills is durable. Dan Lesser, President & CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors, recalled early in his career being thrown into presentations before he felt ready. His lesson: “Competence is the foundation. The more you master your craft, the more natural confidence becomes.” Justin Knight, CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT, offered similar wisdom: “If the message is right, communicating it becomes easier.” When leaders invest in mastery, confidence follows naturally.

5. Surround Yourself With People Who See Your Potential

Support accelerates self-belief. Dawn Gallagher, Chief Commercial Officer at Crescent Hotels & Resorts, explained: “Find people who remind you who you are on the days you forget.” Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, spoke of the importance of leaders who nurture early talent: “Great leaders see something in you before you see it in yourself.” Confidence grows faster in the presence of people who amplify rather than diminish your voice.

6. Reframe Setbacks as Practice, Not Proof

Early mistakes can either erode confidence or strengthen it. Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings, shared the mindset that shaped his global success: “Failure is information. What matters is what you do with it.” Chris Green, President of Humanitarian Hotels, added, “You don’t rise because things go right, you rise because you learn when they don’t.” Leaders who treat setbacks as data points, not definitions, stay confident even in difficult seasons.

Closing Reflection: Confidence Is Built, Not Bestowed

The lessons from these leaders point to a single truth: confidence is not a personality trait reserved for the bold, it is a practice available to everyone. You build it through curiosity, preparation, community, and the courage to show up even when you’re unsure.

For anyone who has ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or out of place, these leaders offer reassurance: you belong, you can grow, and confidence will meet you on the other side of effort and clarity. When you stand tall in who you are, before others fully see it, you lay the foundation for a career defined not by doubt, but by possibility.