Keynote Spotlight: The Secret to Owning Any Room (It's Not What You Think)
A sneak peek into the world-changing insights from the upcoming keynote: "Help Wanted: Confident Women to Change the World"
My father once called me "solid." Not exactly the compliment you'd expect, right? But when I pressed him on what that meant, he said something that changed how I understood confidence forever: "You have a good head on your shoulders, your feet are planted on the ground, and not a lot shakes you."
Years later, I started noticing a pattern. Strangers in elevators would tell me my energy was calming. My sister would visibly relax when I walked into family gatherings. Colleagues would seek me out during tense meetings. What was happening?
The counterintuitive truth about confidence: The most powerful people in the room aren't the ones demanding attention—they're the ones making everyone else feel like they matter.
The Science Behind "Real" Confidence
Here's what I discovered through years of neuroscience research and working with 350,000+ individuals: True confidence isn't about being the loudest voice or the smartest person in the room. It's about being the most present one.
When you walk into any space—whether it's a boardroom, a family dinner, or a networking event—with the intentional mindset that "this isn't about me, it's about supporting everyone else here," something magical happens. You become magnetic. Not because you're performing, but because you're the rare person who actually cares.
The Confidence Paradox at Work
Think about the last meeting you attended. Chances are that most people were either:
Waiting for their turn to speak
Trying to prove they're the smartest person there
Scrolling through their phones, mentally checked out
But what if you were the one person who:
Asked genuine questions
Made eye contact and truly listened
Approached the room with curiosity rather than competition
That's how you own a room without saying a word about yourself.
When the Bullies and Know-It-Alls Show Up
We all know them—the colleagues who challenge everything, the family members who make every conversation about themselves, the bosses who seem intent on diminishing others. In our upcoming keynote, we'll dive deep into the brain-based tools for handling these "confidence vampires," but here's a preview:
When someone tries to show off their expertise at your expense, try this: "Wow, Bill, I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing. Where can I learn more about that?"
Watch how quickly it defuses the situation. You're not being fake—you're being strategic. You're using their need for validation as a way to maintain your own centeredness while learning something new.
And confidence isn't about having all the answers—it's about being solid enough to ask the right questions and strong enough to support others while they find theirs.
The Real Work Begins Now
The world desperately needs women who can walk into any room and shift the energy—not through force or performance, but through presence and purpose. We need leaders who understand that true power comes from making others feel powerful too.
This isn't about becoming a doormat or suppressing your voice. It's about understanding that confidence is contagious, and the best way to get it is to give it to others.
What's Coming in the Keynote
In "Help Wanted: Confident Women to Change the World," we'll cover:
The neuroscience behind why some people naturally command respect (and how you can too)
Specific tactics for turning your inner saboteur into your strategic advisor
How to reset your confidence compass when you've been knocked off course
The difference between being confident and being cocky (and why it matters more than ever)
This isn't another "lean in" lecture or "fake it till you make it" pep talk. This is science-backed, strategy-focused truth-telling about what it really takes to lead with confidence in today's world.
Because the world isn't waiting for perfect women. It's waiting for confident ones.
Meet the Author
Alyssa Dver | Women’s Leadership Conference Keynote Speaker
Alyssa Dver is the founder of American Confidence Institute, host of the Real Confidence podcast, and has trained over 350,000 individuals in science-based confidence strategies. Her work has been endorsed by experts at Harvard Business School, MIT, and Wharton.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Alyssa Dver live at the Women’s Leadership Conference on October 8, 2025. Her keynote, "Help Wanted: Confident Women to Change the World," will challenge the way you think about leadership, confidence, and your own influence. If you’ve ever doubted your power or wanted to lead in a way that uplifts others while staying grounded in who you are…this keynote is for you.
Register today at: womensleadershipwi.com/register