Secret Power Of Women: Why Women Feel Stuck

Dr. Candace Steele Flippin

There are some conversations that stay with you long after the microphones are turned off. My interview with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin was one of them. In fact, I find myself quoting it often.

Candace is a career strategist, researcher, author, speaker, and founder of the Global Career Advancement Institute. But more than that, she is a woman deeply committed to helping other women stop playing small in their careers and finally believe they deserve more.

So much of what she said truly hit home.

During our conversation on Secrets of Powerful Women, Candace spoke about something called “self-efficacy,” which is really your belief that if you bet on yourself, things will work out. It sounds simple, but for so many women, it is the exact thing holding them back.

She explained how women often talk themselves out of opportunities before they even try. We look at job descriptions and focus on the one qualification we do not have. Meanwhile, men will confidently apply after checking one box out of ten. Candace laughed as she described it, but the truth underneath it is not funny. Women are still conditioned to stay quiet, not make waves, not ask for too much, and not appear “difficult.”

And it is costing us.

One of the most powerful moments of our conversation came when Candace shared a story from her own corporate career. After years of high-level performance and bringing tremendous value to her company, she discovered a male colleague with a significantly smaller workload was making far more money than she was. When she finally advocated for herself, she was essentially told she should simply be grateful for what she had.

So many women listening could probably relate to that moment. I know I could.

Candace says one of the biggest mistakes women make is believing hard work alone will get them noticed. But “hard work is subjective,” she explained. “It is in the eye of the beholder.” That statement stopped me in my tracks. How many women are sitting quietly, overperforming, burning themselves out, assuming someone will eventually recognize their value?

Candace believes women must learn to use their voices effectively, negotiate confidently, and above all, stop apologizing for wanting more.

She also spoke about burnout, stress, and the importance of coping mechanisms. As women, we carry so much — careers, families, aging parents, and expectations. Too often, we suffer silently, afraid to admit we are overwhelmed because everyone sees us as “the strong one.”

But perhaps the most important takeaway from our conversation was this: Ask yourself three questions.

Do you have the career you need?

Do you have the career you want?

And do you have the career you deserve?

If the answer is no, maybe it is time to stop waiting for permission. Maybe it is time to finally bet on yourself.

Listen to the full episode of Secrets of Powerful Women on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and join me at the next empowerment event!