The Skills Gap vs. The Confidence Gap: What’s Really Holding You Back?
By Ellie Scott, MA, Founder & Chief Strategist at Bayleaf Consulting
(This post was originally shared on LinkedIn, where I write about the realities of nonprofit leadership. If you're not following me there yet, let's fix that!)
In my work with nonprofit leaders, I see two common roadblocks that keep them from moving forward:
👉🏾 A skills gap – They don’t know how to do a thing.
👉🏾 A confidence gap – They know enough to do the thing but don’t trust themselves to do it well.
The tricky part? These two challenges look the same from the outside. You hesitate. You overthink. You tell yourself you’ll “figure it out later.” But the way you overcome them is very different.
So how do you know which one you’re actually dealing with? Ask yourself these three questions:
❔ Can I explain it but struggle to execute?
Yes? → You’ve got a confidence gap. You know the thing—you just don’t feel ready.
No? → This is a skills gap. You need to learn the fundamentals.
💡 Example: You understand the concept of financial forecasting, but when it’s time to make projections, you freeze. That’s confidence. But if you can’t explain what a cash flow statement does, that’s a skills gap.
❔ If I had a clear roadmap or mentor, could I do this?
Yes? → You’re dealing with a confidence gap. You don’t need more training—you need guidance and practice.
No? → You’re missing key knowledge. Time to build those skills.
💡 Example: You’re stepping into donor meetings feeling unsure. A mentor’s feedback could help, but another training on “fundraising basics” won’t fix it. That’s confidence. But if you don’t understand donor segmentation, then you need a skills upgrade first.
❔ Have I tried and failed, or am I avoiding it entirely?
Tried but hesitant? → Confidence gap. You need practice and support.
Avoiding it? → Skills gap. You need knowledge first.
💡 Example: You’ve spoken at events before but still dread public speaking. That’s confidence. But if you’ve never given a speech and have no idea where to start, you need skills first.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re leading a team, launching a new initiative, or just trying to get through your to-do list, hitting these roadblocks can be deeply frustrating. I deal with this all the time myself—I constantly have to check myself before I wreck myself. 😑
But here’s the good news: Once you pinpoint which challenge you’re facing, you can stop spinning your wheels and actually start solving the right problem. That’s where things start to shift.
Let’s Get Unstuck Together
If you’re feeling held back by either a skills gap or a confidence gap, it’s time to take the next step. Let’s have a 20-minute conversation to pinpoint where you're stuck and find your path forward—no fluff, just real talk.
Click here to schedule your 20-minute call.
I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. 💬
(Or if you’re more of a LinkedIn person, come join me there!)
