Those of you women who were lucky enough to have a gentle, caring father in your life know that a Father’s voice is like a secret weapon of confidence. Guys, your experience may be slightly different, but the voice of confidence part remains.

I had one of those – the kind that led by example and exhibited values like authenticity, confidence, wisdom, resilience, strength and endurance but also compassion and caring. My dad was the one, who from a young age, continually whispered to me (even though he came from a traditional lineage where women pretty much got married and held household) – “you can do anything you set your mind to.”

The result? I believed him. And it made a great difference in my life.

I had a teacher with a whispering voice like that too. My third-grade teacher. I’ll never fo…