Using Your Authentic Voice: Women of Water Webinar

I attended a powerful webinar yesterday on using your authentic voice, and it left me reflecting on how often we sometimes hold ourselves back—especially in professional settings.

The session explored some of the internal “rules” many of us women carry, like feeling we’re not ready, needing to be perfect, or worrying about how we’ll be perceived. It also offered practical tools to speak up more effectively—whether that’s grounding yourself before a big moment, building allies who amplify your voice, or reframing feedback in a more constructive way.

One part that really stood out was the data on how differently men and women are often described in the workplace:
• 68% of women vs. 31% of men are described as “collaborative”
• 36% of women vs. 21% of men as “helpful”
• 26% of women vs. 12% of men as “nice”
• 28% of women vs. 4% of men as “opinionated”
• 22% of women vs. 2% of men as “abrasive”
• 18% of women vs. 54% of men as “confident”
• 17% of women vs. 63% of men as “ambitious”

It’s a powerful reminder that bias—often unconscious—can shape not only how others perceive us, but how we show up. One message that really resonated: you find your voice by using your voice. Not by waiting until you feel perfectly confident or prepared.

Grateful to Women of Water for hosting such an insightful and empowering webinar, and to Heather Whelpley for sharing practical tools and thought-provoking perspectives.