Owning the Power Within - A Journey from Doubt to Determination

When Confidence Is Misunderstood

In the world of professional leadership, especially in project management, confidence can often be misinterpreted. Initiative may be seen as overstepping, and assertiveness mistaken for arrogance. For Eunice Ireri, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and PRINCE2® expert based in Kenya, one such moment of misunderstanding became a turning point in her career—and her life. This is her story. A story not just of resilience, but of reclaiming power, finding voice, and choosing growth over fear.

The Moment That Sparked a Fire

It began with a question—one that was meant to diminish, but instead ignited something powerful.

“I was once asked,” Eunice recalls through a LinkedIn post, “‘Who gave you the power to make that decision?’”

The question wasn’t about a final verdict or an executive order. It was about a proposal—a suggestion she had made in a professional setting. Like any team member offering a perspective, she had shared an idea. But instead of being met with curiosity or collaboration, she was met with suspicion and accusation. The implication was clear: she had overstepped. She had assumed authority that, in the eyes of others, she did not possess. And it hurt.

The Hidden Message Behind the Words

That question—“Who gave you the power?”—was more than just a challenge. It was a reflection of a deeper issue that many professionals, especially women and minorities, face in the workplace: the policing of confidence. Eunice wasn’t being reprimanded for doing something wrong. She was being questioned for daring to speak up, for having a voice, for showing initiative. Her proposal was interpreted not as a contribution, but as a threat.

But instead of shrinking, she chose to reflect.

Reclaiming the Narrative

In the aftermath of that moment, Eunice could have chosen silence. She could have internalised the criticism, doubted her instincts, and retreated into the background. But she didn’t. Instead, she chose to own her story. She chose to embrace the very power that others questioned. And today, she stands not just as a project management expert, but as a published author—a woman who has taken control of her narrative and used her voice to inspire others. “See me now,” she says. “I am here with the power to tell my story.”

The Lesson - Your Power Is Yours to Claim

Eunice’s experience offers a profound lesson:

Do not let others’ opinions of your capabilities limit your growth. People may try to plant seeds of doubt. They may question your authority, your qualifications, or your right to speak. But their doubts are not your truth. Your power does not come from external validation. It comes from within. It is rooted in your experiences, your knowledge, your courage, and your voice. If others try to silence you in one space, use your voice to build your own platform. If they question your authority, let your results speak louder than their scepticism.

The Fear Factor

Do you know why they try to diminish you? Often, when people question your power, it’s not because you’ve done something wrong. It’s because your confidence challenges their comfort. Your presence disrupts the status quo. Your voice demands attention. Their agenda, whether conscious or not, is often to instil fear—to make you second-guess yourself, to keep you small. But fear is a tool. And once you recognise it, you can choose not to be controlled by it.

“Be fearless,” Eunice urges. “Own your power. They will not believe—but that’s not your problem.”

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey:

• Have you ever held back from sharing an idea because you feared how it would be received?
• Have you ever been made to feel “too much” for simply being confident or assertive?
• Have you ever been told to “stay in your lane” when all you wanted was to contribute meaningfully?
• What would happen if you stopped waiting for permission and started owning your power?

These are not just rhetorical questions. They are invitations to reflect, to reclaim, and to rise.

From Proposal to Purpose

What began as a simple proposal—a suggestion in a meeting—became a defining moment. It revealed not just the biases of others, but the strength within Eunice herself. She could have let that moment define her. Instead, she used it to refine her purpose. She became more than a project manager. She became a storyteller, a mentor, and a leader. She used her voice not just to propose ideas, but to inspire transformation.

You Have Power—Use It

Eunice Ireri’s story is not just about overcoming criticism. It’s about transformation. It’s about recognising that power doesn’t have to be given—it can be claimed. And once you claim it, you can use it to uplift yourself and others. So, to anyone who has ever been made to feel small, to anyone who has ever been told they don’t belong, to anyone who has ever been asked, “Who gave you the power?”—this is your answer:

You did. You have power. Use it. Fearlessly. Boldly. Unapologetically.