Empowering Authenticity: Austin Leaders on Turning Doubt into Drive
The Austin Business Journal, in partnership with The Foundation for Better Business, recently hosted a powerful “She Means Business” panel event at Accenture’s Austin office. Titled “Overcoming Self-Doubt: Women Leading with Confidence and Authenticity,” the discussion brought together prominent local women leaders to share their insights on navigating uncertainty and harnessing their true selves for effective leadership in the Texas entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Foundation for Better Business: Strengthening Austin’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Led by Executive Director Bethany Leffingwell, The Foundation for Better Business is dedicated to strengthening Texas’ entrepreneurial landscape through education, connection, and leadership development. Their “She Means Business” series exemplifies this mission, creating a vital forum for women leaders across industries to connect, exchange ideas, and foster a robust culture of leadership right here in Austin. This particular event delved into critical themes such as self-awareness, purpose, and authenticity as cornerstones for boosting confidence and driving impactful leadership.
Meet the Esteemed Panel of Austin Leaders
The engaging discussion was expertly moderated by Tamara Fields, US Public Service Industry Lead and Austin Office Managing Director of Accenture. The panel featured an impressive lineup of local talent:
- Dr. Kristi Kirk: President and CEO of Concordia University, an institution focused on transforming lives through education for traditional and adult learners.
- Allison Kaylor-Fink: Senior Vice President of NFP, an Aon company, and a seasoned professional who built her own successful business.
- Nicole Grupp: Senior Vice President and Statewide Manager of Private Banking at Frost Bank, navigating a significant new role while balancing family life.
Audience questions were also integral, posed by Madison Runyan, Private Banking Officer at Frost Bank, and Moira O’Leary, President of Moira O’Leary Consulting.
Understanding Self-Doubt: A Personal Perspective
The panelists shared deeply personal reflections on how self-doubt manifests in their lives and careers:
- Nicole Grupp articulated self-doubt as “the unknown” and “not having all the answers,” especially when stepping into her new statewide role. She reframes it as a “self-check,” an opportunity to learn and prepare.
- Allison Kaylor-Fink described it as “that knot in your stomach, that little voice asking if you really know what you’re doing.” She noted that early in her career, she often shrunk back, but has since learned to value her voice and focus on outcomes over opinions.
- Dr. Kristi Kirk recognized self-doubt during “middle of the night” wrestling moments, which she now embraces as quiet time for prayer and reflection. Her significant career move to Concordia’s presidency involved six months of deep introspection and prayer, highlighting the importance of discerning one’s vocation.
Turning Doubt into Drive: Strategies for Authentic Leadership
The conversation shifted to actionable strategies for moving beyond self-doubt:
Embracing Your “True North”: Nicole Grupp emphasized focusing on guiding principles and core values. She shared how she overcame a self-imposed “false narrative” about her personal life limiting her professional opportunities, by intentionally focusing on her goals and seeking support from mentors.
Leveraging Outcomes and Mentorship: Allison Kaylor-Fink advised focusing on tangible outcomes rather than internal doubts or external opinions. She highlighted the power of reflection (“Allison, what happened last time?”) and the invaluable role of mentors as “champions” who provide guidance and help you “get rid of the naysayers.”
Knowing Yourself and Developing Your Team: Dr. Kristi Kirk underscored the ancient wisdom of “know yourself” – understanding one’s gifts, skills, and purpose, often through tools like the Birkman assessment. Crucially, she emphasized developing a strong, complementary team where titles are set aside, and everyone is empowered to speak up and contribute to problem-solving.
Key Takeaways from Austin’s Women Leaders
The panelists shared defining strengths that underpin their authentic leadership:
| Panelist | Core Identity / Driver | How They Tackle Doubt | Defining Strength(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kristi Kirk | Faith, family, education, vocation | Deep introspection, prayer, discernment | Context, Authenticity |
| Allison Kaylor-Fink | Family, helping others prepare for future | Focus on outcomes, reflection, mentorship | Passion, Loyalty, Protective |
| Nicole Grupp | Motherhood, faith, leadership, client care | Self-check, mentors, positive narrative | Care, Vision, Action |
Navigating New Challenges: Layoffs and AI
Audience questions touched on contemporary challenges, including self-doubt stemming from layoffs and the rise of AI. Nicole Grupp advised taking stock of all skills and resisting self-limitation, suggesting exploration of AI platforms to enhance resumes and workflow. Tamara Fields emphasized reframing one’s career story around skills AI doesn’t do well and highlighting the unique value humans bring – particularly impact, efficiency, and accuracy. Dr. Kristi Kirk reminded everyone that the ability to be human – to engage differently, think new thoughts, and collaborate – remains paramount.
Allison Kaylor-Fink recounted an anecdote where her husband’s AI agent refused a prompt due to its complexity, requiring human intervention to break down the task. This illustrated that “you still need that human factor.” Nicole Grupp added that while technical expertise is important, “genuineness” and “heart” are irreplaceable in building real, authentic workplace relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the “She Means Business” series?
It’s an initiative by The Foundation for Better Business, in partnership with the Austin Business Journal, designed to unite women leaders across industries to exchange ideas, build community, and strengthen leadership culture in Texas business. - How can I identify self-doubt in myself?
Panelists described it as a “knot in your stomach,” the “unknown,” or “sleepless nights.” It often surfaces during new roles, major life transitions, or moments of deep introspection. - What role do mentors play in overcoming self-doubt?
Mentors are crucial “lifelines” and “champions” who provide perspective, offer pep talks, and help you refocus on your “true north” when uncertainty creeps in. - How can I balance confidence with humility?
It starts with knowing yourself deeply—your gifts, skills, and purpose—and surrounding yourself with a complementary team. Humility comes from recognizing you don’t have all the answers and valuing diverse input. - How should I adapt my career story in the age of AI?
Focus on reframing your story around skills AI doesn’t do well, such as emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving requiring human nuance, and the ability to drive impact, efficiency, and accuracy with human oversight. Embrace lifelong learning and experiment with AI as a tool.
Ultimately, the panel underscored that while self-doubt is a natural part of being human, it can be transformed into a powerful motivator when approached with self-awareness, authentic leadership, and the support of a strong community.
Austin Women Leaders Turn Doubt Into Drive
