What’s Really Holding You Back from Thought Leadership (It’s Not What You Think)
By Tabby Biddle
If you’re a woman with a big message or mission, chances are you’ve already thought about stepping into thought leadership. You’ve imagined giving that TEDx talk, writing your book, being interviewed on a podcast, or becoming a sought-after voice in your field. And yet... you're still holding back.
You tell yourself you're too busy. You tell yourself you need more clarity. You tell yourself you’ll do it once the timing is right.
But here’s the truth: it’s not your calendar, your clarity, or your credentials that are holding you back.
What’s really holding you back?
It’s the invisible weight of fear—the fear of being seen, of being misunderstood, of being “too much” or “not enough.” It’s the internalized belief that your voice might not matter… or worse, that it’s dangerous to speak it out loud.
It’s the survival response passed down through generations of women—those who were silenced, punished, or erased for daring to lead, for daring to tell the truth. This fear doesn't always look like fear. It often masquerades as perfectionism, procrastination, over-preparing, or endlessly “getting ready.”
But underneath it all is this quiet (and very powerful) voice saying:
Who am I to say this?
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if no one listens? Or worse—what if they do?
And this fear? It’s not just personal. It’s collective. It’s historical. It’s deeply wired in our nervous systems and reinforced by the systems we live and work in.
So, what do we do with this?
We stop pretending the fear isn’t there.
We name it. We honor it. We create safe, supportive spaces to move through it—together.
Because here’s the thing: You don’t have to be fearless to be a thought leader. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to wait until it’s perfect.
You just need the right support, the right structure, and the right sisterhood to help you take the next step—with your fear in one hand and your mission in the other.
If this speaks to you, I’d love to stay in touch.
Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing more about what it really takes to step into visible, feminine leadership—from navigating fear to owning your voice and building a lasting legacy.
If you want to be part of that journey, make sure you’re on my email list. That’s where I’ll share the most intimate, behind-the-scenes stories, guidance, and invitations.
Tabby Biddle, M.S. Ed., is a women’s thought leadership coach, public speaking mentor, and the bestselling author of Find Your Voice: A Woman’s Call to Action. Over the last 15 years, she has helped thousands of purpose-driven women find their voice, amplify their message, and step into high-impact leadership. Learn more at tabbybiddle.com.