Jayne Whyte's Portfolio

Confidence, for me, has not always been a natural gift. If you knew me when I was in secondary, I was quite shy. I won an award for being shy in my SS3. I barely spoke up in the midst of friends, have conversations or even raised my head while walking. To be honest, I think being a good listener helped me keep friends. Confidence is a skill I developed through experience, hard work, and an unrelenting drive to succeed. Now, I can proudly say I’ve come a long way. Not there yet but I’m on my journey. Here are five things that helped me build my confidence over the years:

1. Learning from Inspiring Women

As a young woman and early enough, I sought out role models who embodied confidence. These weren’t necessarily women in high-profile positions; sometimes, they were family members, mentors, or colleagues who carried themselves with grace, resilience, and determination. I paid attention to how they navigated challenges and presented themselves unapologetically. From Princess Diana to Esther Agbarakwe , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala , Hajiya Hajo M Sani, Amina Mohammed, my Mum and so many others. From them, I learned that confidence is not arrogance—it is the quiet assurance that comes from knowing your worth and staying true to yourself.

2. Working Twice as Hard

The truth is, confidence doesn’t come from luck—it comes from effort. Early in my career, I realised that being female wasn’t always enough especially in a sexist and patriarchal society and nobody was going to “save” you, anyway. I had to be exceptional. I worked twice as hard to prove to myself (and sometimes to others) that I deserved a seat at the table. Each time I succeeded, the effort I put in reinforced my belief in my abilities. Hard work became the foundation on which my confidence was built.

3. Leveraging on My Wins

One of the most important lessons I learned was to acknowledge and celebrate my achievements, no matter how small. Instead of brushing off my successes, I used them as stepping stones to achieve more. Whether it was completing a challenging project, receiving a compliment on my work, or overcoming a personal hurdle, I treated each win as proof that I was capable. With every step forward, my confidence grew, and I dared to aim higher.

4. I Was Hungry for Success

My hunger for success wasn’t about material rewards—it was about fulfilling my potential. Once I reached and exceeded a target, I wanted to do more. I’ve always believed that we have one life, and I didn’t want to look back and regret not trying harder or taking risks. This drive pushed me out of my comfort zone and into opportunities that scared me at first. With each risk I took, whether it was applying for a promotion or speaking up in a meeting, I gained the confidence to take the next one.

5. My Children Inspired Me

Becoming a mother changed everything. I wanted my children to grow up seeing me as a role model, someone they could look up to. This desire gave me a new sense of purpose. I realised that every time I doubted myself or held back, I was setting an example for them to do the same. So, I pushed forward—for them. Watching their pride in my achievements became one of the greatest sources of my confidence. Sometimes I think this is a two-way thing.

In summary, building confidence isn’t a quick or easy process, but it is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take. For me, it was about learning from others, putting in the work, celebrating my wins, staying hungry for success, and finding purpose in being someone my children could admire. If you’re on your own journey to being confident or having an abundance of it, remember: it’s not about being fearless; it’s about showing up despite your fears and proving to yourself that you can.

Here’s to the journey of confidence—it’s worth every step.

Cheers

Jayne