Liz Taylor is the CEO of events company Taylor Lynn Corporation, and founder of the Liz Taylor Consultancy, which encompasses her work as a successful media commentator, motivational speaker, special adviser and consultant for hospitality and luxury brands, as well as her position as Entrepreneur in Residence at The University of Central Lancashire.Â
With over 30 years of experience, Liz has built a business from just ÂŁ200 in the bank to one that is now recognised as being an innovative trend setter in the industry, leading her team with her distinctive boldness and optimism through great times and challenging ones.
For Liz, leadership is about action, not titles, and as a woman in business, she believes that leading with confidence is a skill that will set you apart. It’s about balancing strength with empathy, authenticity with strategy, and creating a presence that commands respect. Here are five proven ways to embrace your role as a confident, capable leader, and build your careers and businesses.
Trust Your Instincts—Your Inner Voice is Your Power
As women, we often second-guess ourselves, but our instincts are one of our greatest assets. They’re a culmination of our experiences, our observations, and our innate wisdom. Do not underestimate them. In leadership, decisions often require quick thinking and courage, and trusting yourself is key to making impactful choices. What’s more, the more you trust yourself, the more others will trust you.
Be Bold: Stop seeking endless validation for your decisions. Trust your gut—it’s there to guide you and mine has served me well in some challenging situations. Confidence comes from owning your choices unapologetically and standing by them with conviction.
Reframe Failure—You Never Fail, You Only Learn
Failures are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable. Each setback brings lessons that shape you into a better leader and a more resilient individual. Viewing challenges as opportunities to grow is the hallmark of confident leadership.
 “I never fail; I learn.” Leaders who succeed are the ones who embrace their mistakes and turn them into stepping stones.
Stay In Your Lane—Comparison is a Trap
Competitor envy can be a confidence killer. True leaders don’t waste energy obsessing over what others are doing; they stay laser-focused on their own vision. Your success isn’t determined by someone else’s path—it’s defined by your authenticity and ability to stay the course.
Advice: Write down your goals, and measure your progress against where you were yesterday, not where someone else is today. Lead your team with a vision that reflects your unique purpose and values.
Build a Brand—Because Brand is Queen
In today’s world, your brand is your power. Someone shared this with me early on in my journey and it still guides me today. Whether it’s your personal reputation or your business identity, a strong brand sets you apart and establishes your authority.Â
Key Strategy: Show up consistently and authentically, whether it’s through your social media presence, your leadership style, or how you communicate with your audience. Confidence in your brand starts with being clear about what you stand for—and letting the world know it.
Respect Everyone—Names, Faces, and Roles Matter
Leadership isn’t just about directing; it’s about connecting. Remembering names and treating every team member how you would wish to be treated, shows that you value people for who they are, whatever role they play and that earns respect.
Lead by Example: Never ask someone to do a job you wouldn’t do yourself. I’ve cleaned toilets! As a Marks & Spencer management trainee in my early twenties, I learned this firsthand, showing I was willing to work hard alongside my team earned respect and inspired commitment, equipping me with the tools to be a leader I am today and not a follower.
Final Thoughts
Confident leadership is a choice. By trusting your instincts, reframing failures, focusing on your unique journey, building a strong brand, and treating everyone with respect, you can inspire others and carve a path for future leaders to follow. The world needs more women leading with courage, conviction, and confidence. Step into that role and you’ll not only inspire others but also grow into the confident leader you’re meant to be.
