For most of my career as a sports agent, I was the only woman in the room. There was no roadmap. No blueprint. No open seat at the table—so I made my own. That experience shaped everything I do today. It’s why I founded The Edge, a leadership accelerator to help bold, driven women break through. After years of coaching top performers and speaking to leaders across industries, I see the same challenges playing out for women everywhere.
We’re showing up, delivering results and driving impact; yet we’re still underrepresented at the top. Despite making up nearly half the workforce, women hold just 29% of senior leadership roles (McKinsey & Company, 2023). The talent is there. The ambition is there. The opportunities are there. But too often, the path forward isn’t clear.
So how do we rise?
1. Turning Your Inner Critic into Your Biggest Coach
Early in my career as a sports agent, I had moments of self-doubt—especially when I was the only woman in the room, but I realized I had a choice: I could let my inner critic hold me back, or I could coach myself forward.
The way we talk to ourselves matters. Instead of focusing on what you lack, you might ask yourself: What would a great coach say? They wouldn’t dwell on weaknesses—they’d remind you of strengths. They’d push you to take action and trust your ability to figure things out.
Confidence starts with backing yourself the way a great coach would.
2. Confidence is Built Through Action—Not Perfection
Confidence isn’t something we were born with—it’s something to build. Studies show men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the qualifications, while women wait until they meet 100%.
What is the best way to bridge this confidence gap? Take more shots. Stretch yourself. Apply for the job. Speak up in the meeting. Raise your hand for the stretch assignment.
The more we take action, the more confidence grows.
3. Curiosity Fuels Connection—and Connection Fuels Success
One of the most powerful tools for leadership growth is relationships—and curiosity is the key to building them. Studies show people who ask more questions build stronger, more influential networks.
But mentorship alone isn’t enough. Women need sponsors—leaders who will advocate for them behind closed doors.
When I was starting out, I didn’t just ask for advice—I asked how I could help others. That curiosity built genuine relationships and those relationships opened doors.
4. Fail Fast, Learn Faster
Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it. Yet research shows women are often judged more harshly for mistakes, making us more risk-averse. The best leaders develop a next-play mindset. Learn from setbacks, adjust and move forward—quickly.
Take Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. When she pitched a bold idea early in her career and it flopped, she didn’t let it define her. She took the feedback, iterated and went on to transform the company’s strategy.
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, credits her success to her father’s lesson at the dinner table: “What did you fail at today?” Failure wasn’t something to fear—it was proof she was trying.
The faster we recover, the faster we grow.
5. Making Our Work Visible
Great work doesn’t speak for itself—we have to make sure it’s seen.
The best leaders don’t just show up for big moments. They consistently demonstrate their value. They communicate impact, not just effort.
Trust and credibility are built through visibility and follow-through. Speaking up in meetings, sharing wins and positioning yourself as the go-to person ensures decision-makers recognize your impact—and potential.
If people don’t know what we bring to the table, they can’t advocate for our next opportunity.
6. Our Differences Are Our Superpowers
For years, people asked what it was like to be one of the only female sports agents in a male-dominated industry.
Yes, it took grit, determination and resilience. But here’s what I tell people: Being different is an advantage.
As a female sports agent, I found being a woman gave me a unique edge. Players, coaches and executives often expected agents to lead with bravado and hard numbers. Instead, I led with relationships. I listened more, built trust faster and negotiated in a way that wasn’t just transactional—it was transformational. That difference helped me sign and retain top talent when others couldn’t.
Being willing to be different benefited Whitney Wolfe Herd too. She built Bumble on a simple but powerful difference: women making the first move.
What makes us unique is what makes us valuable. The most successful leaders own it. Leverage it. Bring it to the table.
Because when we do, we don’t just open doors for ourselves—we open them for the women coming behind us.
“The drive to achieve might get us there, but the drive to get better is what keeps us
there.” –Molly Fletcher
By Molly Fletcher
Molly Fletcher, dubbed the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, was one of the first female sports agents, representing Hall of Famers, championship coaches and broadcast icons. Today, she is a sought-after keynote speaker, a USA Today bestselling author, and host of the Game Changers with Molly Fletcher podcast, featuring leaders like Troy Aikman, Glennon Doyle and Simon Sinek.
She founded The Edge, a leadership accelerator for bold, driven women. Because navigating spaces where you don’t feel welcome requires more than just skill—it requires strategy, confidence and an unshakable belief in your own value. Use code LPB20 for a special 20% off for the first 10 Little Pink Book subscribers who register for the March 2025 event.
