Why Confidence Starts Falling at Age Nine—and What Leaders Must Do About It with Colleen Bordeaux

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Colleen Bordeaux, founder of Growth, Inc. and leadership advisor focused on modern communication, influence, and performance at work. They explore what today’s leaders must unlearn about success and how outdated assumptions about confidence, development, and workplace expectations continue to hold people back. Colleen shares insights from her experience building a multi-million-dollar consulting career at Deloitte and launching her own company to help leaders communicate more effectively and unlock performance in their teams. Throughout the conversation, Colleen highlights the surprising research showing that confidence for many women peaks around age nine and explains how early conditioning shapes leadership behavior later in life. She introduces the idea of developing a “business of one” mindset and discusses why leaders must rethink how they build relationships, develop skills, and stay adaptable in a rapidly changing workplace. Listeners will also hear practical strategies for improving engagement and connection across teams, including simple approaches leaders can use immediately to strengthen trust and collaboration. The episode concludes with actionable advice for leaders at every stage: Focus on what you can control in the moment. Prioritize respect over likability. Define success on your own terms and lead from that foundation. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about confidence, communication, and what it takes to lead effectively as the rules of work continue to change. Connect with Colleen Bordeaux: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenbordeaux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthincubator Growth, Inc.: https://www.growth-inc.org/