Like a Girl: Redefining Leadership, Confidence & Self-Love with Suhaiba Neill

Welcome to Rooted in Your Confidence

This week, I had the honor of speaking with Suhaiba Neill—author, leader, advocate, and a woman who knows exactly what it means to be the only one in the room. Her journey is real, powerful, and filled with the kind of lessons every woman in male-dominated industries needs to hear.

From growing up with three brothers to managing a men’s college basketball team, working in professional sports, and joining her family’s painting business—Suhaiba’s walked the walk. And now? She’s using her voice and her story to help other women own their power.

Like a Girl—And Proud of It

Suhaiba’s book, Like a Girl: 22 Leadership Lessons for Women on the Rise, isn’t just a guide. It’s a movement. A shift. A reclamation of what it means to lead as a woman—without shrinking, without pretending, and without losing yourself.

She took a phrase that once felt like an insult and flipped it into a badge of power. This book started as a gift for her daughter. But it's become a gift for all of us.

"If you're in the room, you're meant to be there. You're not too much. You're not too little. You're enough." — Suhaiba Neill

Authenticity Is Your Superpower

In male-dominated spaces, it can feel easier to blend in than to stand out. But here’s what Suhaiba reminds us:

• You don’t need to change who you are to be respected.

• You don’t need to silence your voice to be heard.

• You don’t have to lead like “them”—you can lead like you.

She’s lived it. She’s worked in rooms where her voice was overlooked—even by family. And still, she chose to show up, speak up, and stay true to herself.

Confidence Is a Practice, Not a Trait

Suhaiba doesn’t pretend confidence is easy or automatic. She keeps it real—confidence is something you practice. It’s built moment by moment, choice by choice.

"Every day, I have to pause, take a breath, and remind myself that I’m ready. I belong." — Suhaiba Neill

Whether you’re setting a boundary, taking on a leadership role, or simply advocating for yourself—you don’t need to feel 100% ready. You just need to start.

Self-Love Requires Boundaries

We talked about what self-love really looks like. Spoiler: It’s not always bubble baths and journaling.

Self-love means prioritizing your own needs. Creating space for yourself. Refilling your own cup first.

Suhaiba’s framework makes it simple:

• Daily: Go for a walk. Breathe. Reflect.

• Weekly: Share time with loved ones or do something fun just for you.

• Monthly: Treat yourself—get a massage, see a movie solo, take space.

• Yearly: Take that vacation. Unplug. Reconnect with you.

“What’s in the cup is for you. What overflows is for everyone else.” — Suhaiba Neill

Say Yes—Even If You’re Scared

So many of us wait until we feel fully ready. But the truth? That moment may never come.

Suhaiba encourages women to say yes before they feel ready—to trust that they’ll rise to the moment.

• Apply for the job.

• Speak up in the meeting.

• Step into the opportunity.

• Believe the people who believe in you.

You’re Not Alone—Find Your People

Another gem from our conversation: Don’t do this alone.

• Build community with women who get it.

• Share your wins. Share your struggles.

• Cheer each other on.

Support over competition, always. We’re stronger together.

Final Takeaway: You Are Enough. Always.

To every woman reading this:

✅ You are already enough.
✅ You don’t need permission.
✅ You don’t need to wait.

You deserve to take up space, lead confidently, and show up as your full, powerful self. Right now. Just as you are.

So breathe. Say yes. Set the boundary. Take the lead.
And always stay Rooted in your confidence. 💪🏽

🎧 Listen to the full episode: Rooted in Your Confidence featuring Suhaiba Neill
🔗 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453130/episodes/16842900
📚 Grab her book: Like a Girl: 22 Leadership Lessons for Women on the Rise