Appendix B
The Women and Confidence Survey: Methodology and Results
In my work, I am constantly asked how women can develop more confidence. Confidence is a hot topic on forums, at conferences, and in informal discussions among career women. This book mostly reflects my own advice and understandings, developed through years of work and thought on the question of confidence. However, knowing that I wanted to write a book on it, I decided to harness the good thinking and experience of other professional women.
Survey background
To capture data systematically, we established the Women and Confidence Survey, asking working women about confidence both at work and at home. We tapped our robust WomenWorking.com network, asking women to weigh in. We also publicized a link to the survey on social media outlets. With one of the groups on LinkedIn, Citi’s Connect: Professional Women’s Network, I asked, “What does confidence mean to you? What enhances and inhibits it?” and gave the link to the survey. Our post was one of the group’s top discussions at the time. Clearly, I had struck a nerve.
In consultation with researcher Susan Adams at Bentley University, we also sent the survey to some of the university’s students and alumni. Bentley was an ideal research partner for this venture due to its strong graduate and undergraduate emphasis on business, and its focus on women’s leadership, spearheaded by Bentley president Gloria Larson and Betsy Myers, founding director of the Center for Women and Business.
Survey methodology
The survey comprised twenty-one multiple-choice, open-ended, and demographic questions (reproduced below with basic answer statistics). We conducted the survey from April through June of 2013 by sending the link to the survey to our WomenWorking.com network, several LinkedIn professional groups, and our own social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) to capture data from those most interested in women’s leadership and confidence. To ensure age diversity among respondents, we also sent the survey link to a select group of Bentley students and some alumni.
We deliberately chose not to try to recruit a nationally representative group of respondents. Instead, the sample represents data from a group of business-minded and professional people, mostly women, many of whom are at the managerial level. This group finds confidence to be a major issue on a daily basis. The women in this sample were, on the whole, more confident than women in the general population, were generally older, and had achieved greater success. The goal, therefore, is not to represent women as a whole but to help all women learn from the wisdom, experiences, and lessons learned from this generally high-confidence group.
The survey recruitment was successful, and a total of 535 responses were received. Results were generally examined using a chi-squared test. A large enough sample was required to establish statistical differences at the 90 percent confidence level.
Survey instrument
The results for each question in the survey are presented below.
1. How do you define confidence?
520 responses (free-writing)
2. Where do you think confidence comes from?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
You’re born with it |
<1.0% |
You develop it over time |
37.0% |
A combination of both |
55.8% |
Other |
5.4% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
3. Which of the following sources have contributed to your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Acknowledgment from my family, friends, peers, and superiors |
73.9% |
A wealth of experience—educational, professional, and personal |
85.0% |
A connection with my “higher self” that transcends challenging times |
55.5% |
Other |
17.2% |
4. Which of the following behaviors have served to build your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Acknowledging my strengths and how they serve others |
83.9% |
Becoming more aware of negative self-talk and challenging it |
61.4% |
Recalling past experiences when I’ve acted courageously |
56.3% |
Other |
17.9% |
5. Confidence is connected to: (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Being motivated about your life |
73.3% |
Feeling in sync with other people |
39.8% |
Having the courage to try new things |
79.8% |
The ability to demonstrate your strengths |
78.8% |
Other |
13.7% |
6. Does confidence look different for men and women?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Yes |
50.4% |
No |
27.1% |
I don’t know |
21.1% |
No responses |
1.3% |
7. Do you feel confident in your workplace?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Yes |
84.4% |
No |
14.5% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
8. If you feel confident in your workplace, which of the following practices have enhanced your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Having a leader or mentor who appreciates and respects me |
66.3% |
Meeting my deadlines and staying on top of my work |
67.3% |
Being recognized formally with promotions and raises |
44.0% |
Acknowledgment from my peers, direct reports, and leaders |
70.3% |
Using my skills and making an impact |
86.3% |
Other |
12.4% |
9. If you don’t feel confident in your workplace, which of the following practices have inhibited your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Having a leader who micromanages and disrespects me |
53.5% |
Missing deadlines and falling behind |
20.5% |
Having colleagues who are uncooperative and overly critical |
45.7% |
Feeling disconnected to my job because the work does not leverage my skills |
49.2% |
Other |
20.2% |
10. Do you feel confident in your personal life?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Yes |
83.7% |
No |
15.3% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
11. If you do feel confident in your personal life, which of the following practices have enhanced your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentagses |
|---|---|
I surround myself with people who believe in me |
60.2% |
I was led to believe early on that I could achieve anything I worked for |
52.5% |
I have a sense of myself that is not dependent upon what others think of me |
67.7% |
I feel I can impact my surroundings |
66.6% |
I feel I can make mistakes and recover from them |
76.4% |
Other |
11.7% |
12. If you don’t feel confident in your personal life, which of the following practices have inhibited your confidence? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
My friends and family don’t take me seriously |
17.5% |
I can’t measure up to the expectations of others |
24.8% |
I can’t measure up to my personal expectations |
54.9% |
I don’t feel I have much impact |
29.1% |
Fear of failure |
48.0% |
Other |
16.3% |
13. Is there a difference between how confident you feel at work or at home?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Yes |
57.5% |
No |
41.6% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
14. What would you do if you had more confidence?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
I would say no to things without feeling guilty |
42.1% |
I would say what I think, regardless of the opinions of others |
35.4% |
I would end unhealthy relationships |
29.5% |
I would reach for higher career and personal goals |
57.8% |
Other |
15.5% |
15. Do you have a belief in a power greater than yourself? If so, how does that affect your confidence?
403 responses (free-writing)
16. How does your level of confidence affect the risks you are willing to take?
511 responses (free-writing)
17. What might you do to become more confident? (Check all that apply.)
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Take a course on the topic |
16.7% |
Do more inner reflection |
48.5% |
Read a self-help book |
26.8% |
Counter negative mind-talk with more affirming thoughts |
58.2% |
Find a “confidence buddy” to hold you accountable for taking self-affirming actions |
32.9% |
Seek out a coach or a therapist |
34.8% |
Other |
20.7% |
18. What would your “adult self” say to your “younger self” to inspire her/him to have more confidence?
514 responses (free-writing)
19. What age range do you fall into?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
20 or under |
<1.0% |
21–25 |
6.7% |
26–30 |
9.5% |
31–35 |
11.7% |
36–40 |
9.9% |
41–45 |
13.4% |
46–50 |
16.4% |
51+ |
30.4% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
20. What best describes your current position?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Unemployed |
3.9% |
Student |
2.6% |
Freelancer |
3.3% |
Entry-level employee |
5.0% |
Experienced nonmanager |
24.4% |
Mid-level manager |
18.5% |
Senior manager |
15.3% |
Business owner |
7.2% |
Entrepreneur |
7.2% |
Stay-at-home mother |
<1.0% |
Educator |
2.4% |
Retired |
<1.0% |
Other |
7.8% |
No responses |
<1.0% |
21. What gender do you identify with?
Answer |
Response percentages |
|---|---|
Female |
95.1% |
Male |
2.9% |
Other |
1.1% |
No responses |
<1.0% |