Leadership Launchpad: Confidence & Communication

When girls speak with confidence, the world listens. In neighborhoods, schools, and homes across the country, young women are finding their voices. But for many, speaking up still feels scary. Whether it’s raising a hand in class, sharing an idea in a group, or saying no when it matters most, confidence doesn’t always come easy. That’s why helping girls build communication and leadership skills is not just helpful. It’s life-changing.

The mission of YWEA is to prepare and push young women forward. It is rooted in love, encouragement, and truth. Every girl has the power to lead, but that power grows stronger with support and practice. Building leadership isn’t about waiting until they are older. It begins now. It begins with what they do, say, and believe today.

Building Real Confidence One Step at a Time

Confidence is not something you either have or don’t have. It grows like a seed. With the right words, chances to speak, and someone to believe in them, girls start to carry themselves differently. They start to speak louder, sit up straighter, and take on challenges with a new mindset.

One of the best ways to grow confidence is through small wins. Saying their name proudly, standing in front of the class for just ten seconds, or leading a prayer in a youth group are simple ways to take the first step. Each time a girl pushes past fear, even just a little, she grows stronger. When these moments are repeated, they create a foundation she can stand on for the rest of her life.

Speaking Up With Strength

Public speaking is one of the biggest fears out there. But it doesn’t have to be. For girls to learn how to share their thoughts in a way that others can hear and respect, they need real practice. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being brave.

Start with one-minute talks about something they care about. Maybe it’s their favorite book, a community need, or what makes them proud of who they are. The point is to get them used to hearing their own voice in a setting where others are listening. With each try, they get more comfortable and more sure of themselves. Confidence is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Being a Good Teammate Builds Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about standing in front. It’s also about standing beside others. A good leader knows how to work well in a team. She listens before she talks. She supports her teammates and knows when to step back so others can shine.

Girls who learn to lead by serving others often grow into the strongest leaders. Group projects, service events, or even planning something fun with friends are all great ways to learn teamwork. These moments teach patience, responsibility, and how to handle different opinions. They also build deep respect for what it means to lead with kindness.

Making Decisions With Confidence

One skill every leader needs is decision-making. From picking classes to setting goals, the ability to make smart, solid choices sets young women apart. But that kind of thinking doesn’t show up by accident. It’s built over time through practice.

Encourage girls to make small choices often. What will they wear? What activity will they try next? How will they respond when something is unfair? These everyday decisions prepare them for the bigger ones. Learning to think, pray, and talk things out before deciding helps them trust their own voice. That’s the voice they’ll need in every room they walk into.

Leading by Example Starts Early

A young woman doesn’t need a title to be a leader. She just needs to be herself and live like others are watching. Because they are. Whether it’s younger girls, siblings, or friends, someone is always learning from her. That’s why teaching leadership at a young age matters.

Leading by example looks like speaking kindly even when others don’t. It looks like showing up on time, staying focused, and saying what’s true. When girls carry themselves with character, others follow. They start to realize that who they are matters more than what they have or how loud they can be.

Support Circles Matter

Confidence grows best in the soil of support. Girls need spaces where they can talk without being judged, try without being laughed at, and lead without being told they are too young. That’s what YWEA works to build. Safe spaces. Strong circles. Real support.

When young women lift each other up, they all rise. It’s not about being better than the next girl. It’s about helping each other see what’s possible. These support circles become places where ideas are born, talents are shared, and mistakes are forgiven. That’s how leadership takes root.

Service Builds Strength

One way to help young women grow is by giving them chances to serve. Whether it’s volunteering at a shelter, leading a school fundraiser, or cleaning up their neighborhood, service teaches value. It shows them that their time, hands, and ideas can make a difference.

When a girl helps others, something changes in her. She begins to see that her life is not too small to matter. She learns how to take action, solve problems, and think about more than just herself. These are the things strong leaders are made of.

Practice Is the Secret to Progress

No one becomes a great speaker or leader overnight. The only real way to grow is to keep showing up. That means trying even when you’re nervous. It means speaking up even when your voice shakes. It means trusting that each try is building something inside you.

Mentors and parents can help by setting up regular chances for practice. Let the girls lead a part of a family event. Let them welcome guests at a church or school program. Give them the mic. Then let them grow into it. Each time they lead, they’ll step a little closer to the woman they are becoming.

Confidence That Lasts

True confidence doesn’t just show up when things go right. It shows up when they go wrong. That’s why it’s so important to build it now, while girls are still young. Life will throw things their way, but if they’ve been given the tools to speak up, make decisions, and lead with character, they’ll be ready.

They don’t need to wait until they are adults to start. The world needs their ideas, their voices, and their hearts right now. When they know they have something to say and they have a place to say it, they will rise to the challenge.

Every Girl Has It in Her

Some girls are loud. Some are quiet. Some like to speak up. Others like to listen first. No matter how they start, every girl has the seeds of leadership inside her. With love, support, and real chances to grow, those seeds will become something strong.

This is what YWEA believes. That young women can do anything when given the tools and told the truth. That they matter. That their voice matters. And that the world is waiting for the kind of leadership only they can bring.

Sources:

National Girls Collaborative Project: https://ngcproject.org/ 

Girls Who Code: https://girlswhocode.com/  

YWCA Youth Leadership Programs: https://www.ywca.org/what-we-do/leadership-development/ 

She Should Run: https://www.sheshouldrun.org/ 

Girls Inc: https://girlsinc.org/