Leadership Spotlight Episode 6 with Christina Vidovich
Growing up, we’re taught to sit quietly in gatherings, hands on knees, and not speak unless spoken to. These voices for women specifically echo throughout their entire lives and stick forever. Someone who experienced this firsthand is Christina Vidovich. As the founder of Women Getting Visible, a global movement and conference series empowering women to share their stories.
She’s seen brilliant minds hesitate at the microphone and CEOs with world-changing ideas who freeze when they’re asked to explain them. Accomplished leaders who doubt whether their voice matters.
In our latest Leadership Spotlight conversation, Christina shared how she went from performing quietly to someone who now teaches others to share their stories confidently.
- Many accomplished women in leadership struggle with visibility despite their expertise.
- Confidence grows through intentional practice and real-world feedback.
- Great leadership balances speaking up with actively listening.
- Supportive communities empower women to share their stories fearlessly.
- Stepping into visibility starts by overcoming self-doubt and taking action.
Why Brilliant Minds Stay Quiet – Confidence in Leadership
Christina has witnessed a fascinating paradox: some of the most accomplished leaders are terrified of visibility.
“There are a number of CEOs who even feel that fear,” she observes. “They might have brilliant minds in creating things that are helping the entire planet with their genius, but they’re also scared to step up and speak as to why this is so great.”
According to Christina, here’s what leaders worry about:
- Once it’s online, it’s out there forever
- Am I saying the right thing?
- How will people perceive me?
- What if I’m judged?
This fear manifests directly for women in leadership. Throughout childhood, many were taught to observe rather than assert. To wait their turn and to make sure everyone else is comfortable before speaking up. In other words, telling them never to speak up.
What Christina Discovered at Her Conference
At her Women Getting Visible conference, Christina saw this hesitation during the open mic session. Women who had never spoken on stage before stood nervously, unsure if their stories mattered. But then something remarkable happened: the other women in the room immediately circled around them for support.
“That has been the biggest feedback that I’ve gotten,” Christina says. “I have met some amazing women because of you. I’m on a different trajectory because of the women that you introduced and brought into the room.”
Christina’s Road to Female Empowerment – From Ballroom Dancing to Voice Amplifier
Christina’s journey to becoming a visibility advocate wasn’t a straight path.
Her background:
- Professional ballroom dancer
- Fashion model
- Fashion designer
- Studio owner
Because of her dancing career start, she was comfortable in the spotlight but only as a silent presence.
She says: As a dancer, as a model, you’re not really speaking, you’re just the presence in front of the camera on the stage.”
The Coffee Shop Experience
The shift came when she became a mother. Suddenly, she found herself in coffee shops with other new moms, hearing stories that weren’t being told anywhere else.
“Women would start coming and telling me stories. And suddenly I was in a new club that I didn’t even know existed until I was about to reach motherhood,” Christina recalls.
The untold stories she heard:
- Women pausing careers to raise children
- Navigating the return to work
- Juggling competing priorities without losing yourself
- The emotional and physical journey only women experience
“These weren’t stories that are told in magazines very often,” Christina says. “Women are doing amazing things and finding a way to hit pause even for a moment.”
Christina on Leadership Skills for Women to Build Confidence
As a dancer, Christina learnt a leadership lesson that applies far beyond the dance floor.
Her Ballroom Leadership Metaphor
In the ballroom, there’s a designated leader and follower. But an effective partnership requires more than one person giving directions.
“It is really a balancing game of how to help each other to create the beautiful dance. So in leadership, we need to be able to give our messages, but we also need to be able to receive the messages to become a much better leader.”
The takeaway: The best leaders don’t just speak, they listen. They don’t just direct, they respond to feedback.
Christina's Confidence-Building Strategies
When it comes to building confidence for women in executive roles, Christina offers some simple yet effective strategies:
- Start a Fresh Slate: “Wash your hands and brush your teeth,” Christina advises.
Why it works: “It gives you a fresh start. Your hands are clean, your mouth is clean, everything can start from a clean place, so that when you go to approach somebody… It’s just that freshness, like taking a shower and that calm that washes over you.”
2. Ground Yourself Before Entering the Room: Before stepping into any situation where you need to be visible:
- Roll your shoulders back
- Take a deep breath
- Settle into yourself
Christina’s personal strategy? Observe first, then step into her light.
“I put that smile on today, and I’m quiet, and I will watch my room, and then I will step into my light after that.”
3. Perfect Practice, Not Just Practice: Christina corrects a common misconception:
“Practice doesn’t make perfect, but practice and perfect practice is what makes perfect.”
Her recommendation:
- Record yourself talking for 10 minutes
- Watch it back
- Identify what you’re doing well (not just what needs fixing)
- Improve incrementally
“Don’t forget the things that you are already doing perfectly. We’re our worst enemies when it comes to beating ourselves up over all the things that need to be fixed.”
Overcoming the Fear of Being Seen – Unlocking Self-Confidence in Leadership
Christina’s childhood wasn’t ordinary; her multicultural upbringing shaped her understanding of visibility.
Her family background:
- Mother: Pediatrician from the Philippines (Filipino-Spanish)
- Father: Second-generation Croatian-American
- Exposed to diverse cultures, music, and artistic expression from childhood
“My parents were very, very much about exposure to me,” Christina recalls. “When I wanted to draw, when I wanted to play the piano poorly, or the guitar, my parents would say, ‘ Do it, do it, figure it out, feel it, learn it.”
But She Also Learned Silence
As a girl, Christina was taught certain behaviors: sit quietly, hands on knees, and observe the room.
That constraint, however, taught her to become an observer—a skill she now uses strategically.
Get Out of Your Own Way
For women in leadership struggling with visibility, Christina’s advice is clear:
“Some of it is just getting it out of your own way. That voice that you’re hearing in your head about, oh, this is how this person’s going to perceive it, and this is how people are going to react to it. Sometimes that’s just your voice in your own head.“
The antidote:
Put yourself out there and gather real feedback instead of imagining worst-case scenarios.
“You’d be surprised how much you’re actually supported when you start sharing your concepts and your ideas.”
The Technology Advantage for Women Leaders
Christina’s visibility work actually picked up pace when she discovered the power of live streaming.
From Time-Consuming Editing to Live Streaming
She started with traditional podcasting, interviewing women, and editing episodes manually. But the time investment became unsustainable.
“There are four billion women on this planet. I need to interview them all,” she jokes. “So how do I do this faster?”
In August 2025, she launched her first livestream using OneStream Live—and hasn’t stopped since.
Why she recommends live streaming:
- No time-consuming editing
- Interviews done in real-time
- Content ready immediately
- More women reached faster
“I recommend to anyone who wants to get into podcasting, get into live streaming, and save yourself a lot of time.”
Final Words on Christina’s Journey
Whether you’re a woman in leadership, a founder with vision, or anyone with a story, her final message for anyone who struggles in the spotlight is: “Your message is important, and I want you to be seen, be heard, and be valued. That’s what’s important.” The spotlight is waiting, and as Christina has proven, the hardest part is often just deciding to step into it. So take that step today and break the barriers that are holding you back.
Watch the Full Leadership Spotlight Episode 5 with Christina Vidovich
FAQs
Successful women leaders exhibit confidence, resilience, empathy, and strong communication skills.
Women can combat imposter syndrome by recognizing their achievements, seeking mentorship, and embracing their unique leadership style.
Increasing female representation in leadership promotes diversity of thought, fosters innovation, and drives more inclusive decision-making.
Women can build confidence by practicing public speaking, preparing their ideas in advance, and focusing on progress rather than perfection.
Networking helps women leaders gain support, share opportunities, learn from others’ experiences, and expand their influence professionally.
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