How Women Leaders Can Unlock Their True Confidence

One of my favourite books growing up was The Magic Far-Away Tree by Enid Blyton. I must have read it over and over, each time getting lost in a world where anything was possible. The magical lands above the tree, the ever-changing adventures—it all felt like pure fantasy. But what I’ve come to understand, as a leadership coach and therapist, is that this sense of infinite possibility isn’t just for children or fairy tales. It’s real. Anything is possible when we step beyond the limitations of our habitual thinking and begin creating from the power of our mind.

As children, we effortlessly used our imagination to become anything we wanted. But as adults, I see many women in leadership using that same imagination to feed an identity rooted in doubt, perfectionism, and unworthiness. Their beliefs about who they think they are run deep—like the roots of a tree—and those beliefs drive their behaviour, how they see themselves, and how they approach challenges in their careers.

What many don’t realise is that around 96 to 98% of the time, we’re operating from our unconscious mind. If nothing changes at that deeper level, those limiting beliefs continue to influence how we show up.

But when we dive deep into the unconscious, when we tap into that place of infinite intelligence and possibility, we begin to create a reality that feels almost magical. For the first time, these women feel truly good about themselves. They feel strong, competent, and capable. They finally believe in themselves.

When you step beyond the surface, beyond the conditioned thinking that’s kept you stuck, you open the door to a new world—one where you can create a reality that not only reflects your true worth but allows you to thrive.

Leaving Behind Who You Think You Are

"To step into your true potential, you must first leave behind the idea of who you think you are, for it is only by shedding the limits of your past that you can create the limitless possibility of your future." - Sara Maude

Much like the children in The Magic Faraway Tree who venture into strange, shifting lands, you can step beyond the limits of your conditioned, habitual thinking. That inner dialogue that tells you, I’m not worthy or I have to be perfect to succeed—that’s simply one “land” you’ve been visiting for far too long. And while those beliefs feel concrete and real, they’re just a product of years of conditioning.

What if, like those magical lands beyond the tree, you could access a new part of yourself—one where anything is possible? A space in your unconscious mind where you can create a character who believes in herself, a version of you who steps away from self-judgment and embraces self-compassion. Just as the children in Blyton’s story moved between lands of fun, fear, excitement, and adventure, you too can explore new identities and ways of being that are not bound by the jagged rocks of reason.

Climbing Higher: Building a New Identity

Up in the branches of the tree, a new version of yourself is waiting. She’s not plagued by doubt, or bound by the need to be perfect. She’s her own best friend, speaking to herself with love, with kindness. She’s learned that having her own back means everything.

When she faces a challenge, she doesn’t panic or overthink. She trusts herself. She knows she’s strong enough to handle whatever comes her way, whether it’s a high-stakes meeting or an unexpected setback. And when she does wobble—because all humans do—she doesn’t judge herself harshly. Instead, she’s compassionate, patient, and understanding. She has developed the tools and techniques to steady herself again, to remind herself, I’ve got this.

The Magic of the Unconscious Mind

This shift into a new way of being doesn’t come from striving or proving yourself. It comes from accessing the power of your unconscious mind—the part of you that, like the magic tree, is filled with limitless possibilities. When you step out of the rigid, rational thinking that has kept you small and take a leap into the unknown, you can begin to create a character that serves you.

This character doesn’t just “fake it until she makes it.” She becomes the woman who believes in her worth, who takes up space unapologetically, who knows she’s more than enough—just as she is.

Finding Your Way to the Tree

The beauty of the faraway tree isn’t that it exists in some distant land; it exists within you. By letting go of the need to control and over-prepare, and by allowing yourself to dream beyond your old limitations, you can begin to climb. And as you climb, you access new strengths, new beliefs, and new ways of thinking about yourself.

This journey isn’t about abandoning who you are—it’s about reclaiming the parts of you that have always been there, hidden beneath the surface. It’s about imagining a new identity where you are confident, capable, and worthy of everything you desire, not because you’ve earned it, but because you are it.

Embrace Your Magic

Just like in The Magic Faraway Tree, the lands you visit in your unconscious mind are always changing. Some days, you may feel on top of the world; other days, you may face challenges. But the magic lies in knowing that you can change, adapt, and climb higher, no matter what.

You don’t have to stay stuck in the land of perfectionism or self-doubt. You can create a new story, a new character—one who is confident, loving, and ready to take on anything. Just like the magic faraway tree, your potential is limitless. The only question is: are you ready to climb?