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Published on:

4th Mar 2025

Owning Your Space: Confidence & Success in Male-Dominated Industries (Da 2)

In this episode of the Women Leading Boldly Summit, Karen sits down with Samantha Kaye Harris—a dynamic speaker, consultant, and certified life coach—who is dedicated to helping women in male-dominated industries build unshakable confidence and take up space without seeking validation.

With over 25 years of firsthand experience navigating these challenging environments, Samantha shares her powerful journey from being the only woman in the room to leading with authority. She equips women with the tools to trust their voices, stand firm in their expertise, and thrive on their own terms.

Key Takeaways!

  1. Women often adapt to fit in—at the cost of their authenticity. Many women unconsciously change their behavior, tone down their strengths, or overcompensate in male-dominated environments to be accepted. Recognizing and reversing this pattern is essential for true confidence.
  2. External validation is a trap—real confidence comes from within. Women are often conditioned to seek approval, whether at work or in their personal lives. True self-assurance comes from being your own ally rather than relying on others to recognize your worth.
  3. Setting boundaries is an act of self-respect. Protecting your time, energy, and priorities is crucial—not only for personal well-being but also for commanding respect in professional settings. Boundaries are a statement of self-worth, not a sign of weakness.
  4. Self-leadership is key in male-dominated spaces. While allyship is valuable, women must first become their own strongest advocates. Learning to stand firm in your value and expertise ensures that others take you seriously.
  5. Confidence is a practice, not a destination. Confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself—it’s about trusting yourself enough to take action despite the doubt. Reminding yourself of your qualifications and accomplishments helps reinforce a strong, unwavering mindset.


Samantha’s journey is a testament to the power of self-leadership and personal growth. She reminds us that while navigating male-dominated spaces comes with challenges, the real transformation happens when women stop seeking external validation and instead root themselves in their own confidence.

"Behind every successful woman is herself." — Samantha Kaye Harris

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About the Podcast

Women Leading Boldly Virtual Summit
🔥 The Future of Leadership is Bold. Are You Ready? 🔥

Women’s leadership has come a long way—but what if progress isn’t permanent?

At the Women Leading Boldly Virtual Summit, top leaders, change-makers, and industry experts are coming together to tackle the biggest threats to women’s advancement—and more importantly, to redefine leadership on our terms.

From breaking barriers in male-dominated industries to leading without burnout, amplifying influence, and building financial power, this summit is about real talk, real strategies, and real change.

Over 5 days, you'll hear powerful conversations, bold insights, and inspiring stories from women who are rewriting the leadership playbook.

📅 Are you ready to step up, lean in and shape the future? Let’s lead boldly—together.

About your host

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Karen Gombault

I’m Karen, and I know firsthand the challenges of building a passionate career.

As a former CEO with 30 years in corporate leadership, I'm now a leadership coach and mentor, working privately 1:1 with newly promoted and transitioning leaders who are struggling with self-doubt, team dynamics, and overwhelming responsibilities to lead with confidence, build strong relationships, and create lasting impact —without burnout or second-guessing.