Women in Tech 19th September - Choosing Courage Over Confidence in Tech

## Women in Tech September 2024

Thursday 19th September at 6:30pm
At Scale Space, Nottingham

Join us in September for an autumn Women in Tech Nottingham meetup. We’ll have an awesome talk, plus there’ll be pizza and plenty of opportunities to chat.

New to WiT? Read about what to expect here.

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## The Talk

Daring to try: Choosing Courage Over Confidence in Tech

In the fast-paced, competitive world of tech, fear can quietly keep us stuck—whether it’s holding back from asking for a promotion, not speaking up in important meetings, or hesitating to pursue that next big career step. We’re often told we just need more confidence, but what if confidence isn’t the solution? This talk challenges the myth of confidence and shifts the focus to courage—the real key to moving forward. Courage is about taking action despite fear and uncertainty, and it’s what helps you get unstuck, dream bigger, and go after what you truly want in your career.
Whether you’re in a leadership role or a technical position, you’ll leave this talk with the tools to take bold action, embrace challenges, and build the courage you need to thrive. This is a call to action for every woman in tech to dare to try, believe in herself, and move forward no matter what.
Key Points:

• The Confidence Myth: Why confidence isn’t the missing piece we’ve been led to believe and why courage is more essential to overcoming fear.
• Understanding and Recognising Fear: How fear shows up—whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, or judgement—and how it holds you back from achieving more.
• Courage vs. Confidence: Why courage is about daring to act despite fear, while confidence often comes after you’ve taken the first step.

## Speaker

Charlie Whyman knows firsthand that navigating career changes, facing redundancy, and starting new ventures can be daunting—but they’re also opportunities for growth. As the Managing Director of TGIS Aviation, a company that specialises in solving complex, time-critical challenges for aircraft and engine owners, she is passionate about helping others take control of their careers and build the courage to take action, no matter what obstacles arise.

With a background as an engineer, a marketer by experience, and a business leader by curiosity, Charlie has built her career across male-dominated industries, from automotive to mining, shipping, and now aviation. In 2006, she founded an award-winning Sardinian Olive Oil business, and after facing redundancy twice, she embraced new challenges by launching her own consultancy and training business in 2017. Her journey ultimately led her to the role of Managing Director, offered by a client who saw her leadership and problem-solving abilities in action.
As a university dropout with no formal qualifications, Charlie is open about the twists and turns of her career, using her story to show that fear doesn’t have to hold you back. Through her experiences as a business leader, speaker, and co-parent to her 5-year-old son, she demonstrates that with courage and the right support, it’s possible to take control, push past fear, and create your own path to success.

See our website for more information about Women in Tech Nottingham.
https://www.technottingham.com/events/wit-2024-september