When Confidence Is Questioned: Women, Authority, and the Double Standard

Episode notes

This episode is different. Recorded nearly nine months ago and never released, this conversation is real, raw, and deeply personal. It may land differently depending on your experiences — and that’s intentional. In this solo episode, Heather opens up about a question she’s been asked repeatedly as a founder and product leader: “How do you handle not getting the easy yes compared to your male counterparts?” This is not a knock on men. It’s an honest conversation about the double standards women often face in product management and other male-dominated industries — where influence without authority, confidence, and communication are constantly being evaluated through a different lens. Heather shares reflections from her career in engineering, software, and medical devices, along with practical strategies for building trust with technical teams, using language intentionally, and leading with grounded authority. She also addresses how women often self-limit before anyone says no — and what it takes to shift that pattern. While this episode reflects where Heather was nine months ago, the message remains clear and relevant: You are capable. You are credible.