You can be confident and capable, and still hold yourself back. So what’s actually stopping you from moving forward? In this episode of Finding Brave, Kathy Caprino welcomes back returning guest Dr. Cindy McGovern to explore why confidence alone does not drive change, and why we often hold ourselves back even when we know we’re ready to move forward.
Known as the “First Lady of Sales,” Dr. Cindy is a bestselling author and consultant who believes every person already has the skills to get what they want in life and work. In her latest book, The Permission Mission: Reclaiming The Power To Trust Your Own Voice, she challenges the idea that we need approval from others, showing how many of us are still waiting for permission, shaped by past experiences and internalized beliefs.
In this conversation, Dr. Cindy introduces the idea of “backup singers,” the internal voices that influence how we see ourselves and what we believe we’re allowed to pursue. She explains how these voices create a pause right at the edge of growth, not because we lack ability, but because we have learned to question whether we are allowed to move forward. Through honest examples and a real-time, live coaching session, the episode reveals how even highly successful people can feel blocked by patterns they do not always recognize.
You’ll also hear practical strategies for identifying these internal influences, understanding where they come from, and deciding which ones no longer serve you. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start trusting your own voice, this episode will help you take that first step!
Key Points From This Episode:
- A warm welcome back to Dr. Cindy McGovern, her new book, The Permission Mission, and the focus on trusting your own voice. [02:02]
- Why people wait for permission and how this shows up even in confident, high-achieving professionals. [05:00]
- The concept of “backup singers” and how internalized voices shape our decisions and self-perception. [07:18]
- Why confidence can exist in some areas while permission-seeking persists in others. [08:14]
- A live coaching example on reclaiming your voice: naming your “backup singers”, cleaning out your emotional closet, and choosing which voices to listen to. [11:45]
- Recognizing why you continue to listen to internal “backup singers” and learning how to quiet competing voices to hear and trust your own instincts. [20:22]
- How to begin reclaiming your voice by questioning where self-doubt was learned and why it persists. [24:30]
- Three powerful strategies for reclaiming and trusting your own voice: listen to your instincts, practice speaking up before speaking up, and be honest with yourself. [31:12]
For More Information:
Dr. Cindy McGovern on LinkedIn
Dr. Cindy McGovern on Facebook
Dr. Cindy McGovern on Instagram
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Cindy’s latest book, The Permission Mission: Reclaiming The Power To Trust Your Own Voice
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Key Quotes from Today’s Show:
“We all have these backup singers in our heads, and it’s the ones we choose to listen to and the ones we choose not to listen to: they’re calling the shots.” — @1stladyofsales [0:07:39]
“I could be very confident in one area and still waiting for permission in another.” — @1stladyofsales [0:08:51]
“Once you start quieting all these competing priorities in your own head and listening to all of this, you start actually listening to what you want.” — @1stladyofsales [0:22:11]
“Our emotions are our GPS, and we tend to turn them off. Why do we do that? Where did we learn to turn them off?” — @1stladyofsales [0:25:44]
“Remember, you’re doing what’s best for you, and if you’re your best, it’s better for everybody, and you’re not doing anybody any favors by being totally burned out, totally exhausted. It’s not good for anybody.” — @1stladyofsales [0:33:35]
“Your self-worth is not up for negotiation. That’s not part of the problem here. That’s never been part of the problem. The only permission you need is your own.” — @1stladyofsales [0:36:50]
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