VALIDATE Workshop: Unstoppable Confidence
This workshop is by invitation only.
Unstoppable Confidence is a two-day, in-person workshop led by executive coach Peggy Klaus, designed to help women develop greater confidence, presence, and resilience in their professional lives.
Through a mix of interactive exercises, personal reflection, and group discussion, participants will explore the factors that shape confidence and how to build it strategically over time. The workshop will focus on recognising and using personal strengths, navigating common challenges such as imposter syndrome and perfectionism, and developing the skills to lead with authority and impact.
This is a practical, skills-based programme tailored to support women working in research and related fields, with a focus on long-term personal and professional development.
Workshop Topics
Over two days, participants will cover topics including:
- Understanding the confidence gap and the factors that impact women’s self-confidence and performance in the workplace
- Identifying and leveraging your strengths
- Overcoming barriers to success such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and bias
- Enhancing executive presence: strategies to project confidence and gravitas under pressure
- Developing a strategic plan to build and maintain confidence
- Building resilience as a leader
Additional invited participants include VALIDATE Fellows and female pump-priming grant leads, to broaden networking opportunities.
If you’ve been invited to attend this workshop, please confirm your participation by emailing VALIDATE@ndm.ox.ac.uk.
About the Speaker: Peggy Klaus
Peggy Klaus is an executive coach and communication specialist who works with professionals across sectors to develop confidence, leadership skills, and executive presence. She is the author of Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills, and has delivered workshops for scientists, business leaders, academics, and public sector professionals worldwide.
Her approach combines practical tools with a focus on mindset and resilience, helping participants tackle challenges such as imposter syndrome, self-promotion, and high-stakes communication.
