Rhonda had been leading the project for months. She knew every moving part, every milestone, every challenge they had overcome. So, when her upline manager casually asked a simple question in the meeting, it should’ve been routine.
But it wasn’t. Her mind went blank.
A team member jumped in with an accurate and helpful answer, but Rhonda couldn’t shake the feeling that she had failed not only in front of her team but also to the person whose opinion mattered most in her career.
That night, sleep didn’t come easily.
She replayed the moment, wondering if her credibility had slipped just from that one exchange. She thought of at least five ways she should have answered. That night, she rehearsed, over and over again how she could “redeem” herself.
If this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It happens to the most competent, experienced professionals especially women in mid-career who are walking the tightrope between career ambition, at home responsibilities, and the weight of others’ perception.
Here’s the truth:
🔹 One moment does not undo your track record.
🔹 Leadership is not about having every answer, it’s about building trust, and trust isn’t lost in a single silence.
🔹 Growth sometimes looks like forgiving yourself, learning from the moment, and moving forward with more intention not more shame.
In my coaching work with mid-career women in banking and finance, I’ve seen how one moment of doubt can cause us to question our readiness for the next level. But I’ve also seen how quickly confidence can be restored when we separate facts from feelings and put support structures in place.
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear
👉 Have you ever had a moment like this?
👉 What helped you bounce back?
Image credit: Google Images
