Introduction: Confidence Is Often Misunderstood 

Confidence is one of the most talked-about traits girls are told they need, yet one of the least clearly explained. 

Girls are encouraged to “just be confident,” without being shown how confidence is built, sustained, or supported. This misunderstanding leads many girls to believe that confidence is something you either have or don’t. 

At BelEve, we know this isn’t true. 

Confidence is not a personality trait. It is a skill that can be learned, practised, and strengthened with the right support. As part of our girls’ self-esteem workshops, we work to dismantle harmful confidence myths and replace them with evidence-based approaches rooted in positive youth development for girls. 

Myth 1: “Confidence Is Natural — You’re Either Born With It or Not” 

This is one of the most damaging myths girls internalise. 

When confidence is framed as something innate, girls who feel unsure may believe something is “wrong” with them. In reality, confidence develops through: 

• Repeated experiences 

• Encouragement and feedback 

• Safe opportunities to try, fail, and try again 

Within positive youth development for girls, confidence is understood as an internal asset that grows over time. Girls need environments where they are supported, not judged, while developing this asset. 

BelEve programmes prioritise process over performance, allowing confidence to grow organically. 

Myth 2: “You Have to Be Loud to Be Confident” 

Confidence is often associated with volume. Girls who speak up quickly or dominate conversations are labelled confident, while quieter girls are overlooked. 

But confidence shows up in many ways: 

• Thoughtful decision-making 

• Setting boundaries 

• Asking questions 

• Standing firm in values 

BelEve actively challenges this myth by validating different leadership styles. Confidence does not require extroversion; it requires self-trust. 

Our girls’ self-esteem workshops emphasise that leadership can be reflective, calm, and compassionate. 

Myth 3: “Confident Girls Never Doubt Themselves” 

Self-doubt is part of being human, especially during adolescence and early adulthood. 

The myth that confident girls never struggle creates unrealistic expectations. When doubt arises, girls may feel they’ve “failed” at being confident. 

In reality, confidence is not the absence of doubt; it is the ability to move forward despite it. 

Through girls mental health and wellbeing support, BelEve helps girls: 

• Normalise uncertainty 

• Build emotional resilience 

• Develop coping strategies for self-doubt 

This approach ensures confidence is sustainable, not performative. 

What Actually Builds Confidence in Girls 

So if confidence isn’t natural, loud, or doubt-free, what does build it? 

1. Psychological Safety 

Girls need spaces where they feel safe to speak, make mistakes, and express themselves. 

BelEve creates environments where girls are encouraged, not corrected, allowing confidence to grow naturally. 

2. Mentoring Relationships 

Confidence strengthens when girls are believed in. 

Mentors play a crucial role by: 

• Offering reassurance and perspective 

• Sharing real-life experiences 

• Encouraging reflection and growth 

This relational approach is central to positive youth development for girls. 

3. Skill-Building Opportunities 

Confidence grows through doing. 

BelEve programmes provide opportunities for girls to practise: 

• Communication and advocacy 

• Leadership and teamwork 

• Decision-making and problem-solving 

Each experience reinforces self-belief. 

4. Emotional Wellbeing Support 

Confidence cannot thrive when wellbeing is neglected. 

BelEve integrates girls’ mental health and wellbeing support across programmes, recognising that emotional resilience is foundational to leadership. 

Why Confidence Matters for Leadership 

Confidence allows girls to: 

• Advocate for themselves 

• Take healthy risks 

• Explore opportunities 

• Lead with integrity 

Within girls’ self-esteem workshops, confidence is framed not as bravado, but as belief in one’s voice, values, and potential. 

This reframing helps girls step into leadership authentically and sustainably. 

A New Narrative for 2026 

As we move through 2026, BelEve is committed to changing how confidence is understood. 

Confidence is not something girls must prove. 
It is something they deserve support to build. 

By dismantling harmful myths and replacing them with care, reflection, and opportunity, we create a new narrative, one where all girls can lead in their own way. 

Join BelEve in 2026 

If you’re looking for programmes that support real confidence, not surface-level motivation, BelEve is here. 

Through our girls self-esteem workshops and mentoring programmes, we help girls build confidence that lasts. 

👉 Join BelEve in 2026 and enrol in one of our mentoring programs to build confidence with support.