"The Assertion Mastery Programme helped me realise no one was out to get me — and that simple mindset shift changed everything about how I show up in meetings."

Trapped in my own head

As Global Payment Partnerships Lead at GoCardless, my role revolves around relationship management — external meetings, internal discussions, and high-stakes conversations that directly impact our business. But despite my expertise, I dreaded these interactions.

I wanted to feel more assertive and stop constantly doubting myself, even when I knew I was the expert in the room. The exhausting mental chatter never stopped: "What if they think I don't know what I'm talking about?" "Maybe I should stay quiet." "I hope they don't catch me out."

I was trapped in my own head, and it was killing my ability to deliver results.

The breakthrough that changed everything

The pivotal moment came when I realised: no one was out to get me. No one in meetings was making fun of me or trying to catch me out or wanting me to fail.

This sounds simple, but it was profound. I had been operating from assumed hostility — believing everyone was waiting for me to mess up. Once I understood that most people actually want productive conversations, everything shifted.

Having that notion going into meetings meant that the meetings were more successful because I wasn't worried and wasn't so concerned about what other people thought. You can start the meeting much better when you're not assuming people want you to fail.

From anxious to assertive

The changes showed up immediately. I started meetings more positively, and I actually ended up with better outcomes because I was positive, more assertive in what I was asking for, and genuinely trusting my own knowledge rather than always doubting myself.

The impact was measurable:

• Better meeting outcomes with external partners
• Increased ability to progress initiatives and get deliverables completed
• Stronger presence when presenting to stakeholders
• A foundation of genuine assertiveness I can build on
  
  

Building for the future

Now as I'm talking to more senior people, there's naturally a bit of scariness there. But I've got the base to build on. I think it's only going to get easier — even having difficult conversations, things that I wouldn't have previously approached. My mindset's changed toward those.

My future career in this relationship management world definitely looks good.

My advice: Be open-minded

When I first started, some concepts felt like things I should already know. It felt like "I know that, I know that." But I was open-minded to looking at those ideas and reflecting after events happened, then using those tools to reflect and review.

Although I knew these things intellectually, I wasn't implementing them. The programme bridges that gap between knowing something and actually living it.

Without sounding too cringe, it's been life-changing. It's definitely made a massive difference.

"I've got the base level of assertiveness to build on now. The more I'm getting into the job, talking to more senior people — my mindset's changed toward difficult conversations I wouldn't have previously approached.”