As an Upward Class Four alumna, Samford University professor, and devoted mother, Kate McCombs is an influential leader in the Birmingham community. Throughout her involvement with Upward, she has made a significant impact, serving in various leadership roles, including Class Captain and as a member of the Upward Alumnae Council. Read on to learn more about Kate’s journey in Upward and how she balances humility and confidence to be the best leader she can be.
Hi, I’m Kate McCombs! For those who don’t know me, I’m a professor at Samford’s Brock School of Business, passionate about researching, teaching, and consulting in leadership. I’m also a mom to a fun and energetic 2-year-old, a dog mom, and currently a foster mom to a sweet baby girl. What I learn and teach about leadership in the classroom, I often find myself (sometimes unsuccessfully!) trying to implement in all areas of my life.
Today, I want to talk about something that’s key to great leadership but especially relevant for women: the balance between humility and confidence. Leadership isn’t just about being the loudest or smartest in the room—it’s about knowing when to take charge and when to listen. Trust me, whether I’m leading a classroom or navigating toddler tantrums, humility and confidence are always in play!
Statistics show that women tend to be less confident at work, despite being just as, if not more, qualified than men. Remember that study where men applied for jobs when they met only 60% of the qualifications, but women waited until they hit 100%? That’s our perfectionism getting in the way of confidence!
But that’s where programs like Upward, a women’s leadership development initiative, come in. Upward helps women build the confidence to take bold steps, while also fostering the humility to lead collaboratively. It’s a space where we learn to strike that tricky balance—whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or acknowledging that we don’t always have all the answers.
Leading with confidence means owning your strengths, and leading with humility means knowing there’s always room to grow and learn. It’s a balancing act we all struggle with, but one that makes us stronger leaders. So, let’s give ourselves permission to apply for that job, even if we don’t check every single box, and to recognize that sometimes the best leaders are the ones still learning.
At the end of the day, whether it’s in the boardroom, the classroom, or my own living room, I’m constantly reminded that the best leaders are both confident and humble, willing to grow while making room for others to shine.
To learn more from leaders like Kate, subscribe to our newsletters and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
