Here’s a scary reality check: Several studies show women perform poorly on tests when they were asked to identify their gender. But when women were told to envision themselves as men, they performed significantly better. 

Another study found women were more likely to skip questions not because of a lack of knowledge, but due to a lack in confidence.

Confidence is an invaluable trait that’ll propel your career forward. Problem is, some of us are inadvertently doing things that come across as the exact opposite of confident.

Here are things you’ll never see a confident leader do:

1. They never make excuses

One quality all confident people have is the firm belief they’re in control of making things happen. You’ll never hear a confident person explain she was late because she got stuck behind a school bus. She never makes excuses, because she knows she’s the one steering the ship.

2. They never wait for permission

Something else you’ll never hear confident people say: Can I? Should I?

Instead, they’re the ones solidifying their decisions, saying, Well, why wouldn’t I do this?

Pointblank: They don’t wait for someone else to step up to the plate. They’re always there, ready to swing. Whether that means taking control of a meeting that’s gone way off track or going above and beyond to pull through for a client, the thought of waiting never crosses their mind.

3. They never take full credit

The best part about being confident: It’s never about trying to prove your success.

And when you’re confident, you’re more willing to share the spotlight. When you’re getting praised for a job well done, you don’t sit there and soak it all in. Rather, you’re quick to include your team in the glory.

Confident people never forget the people who work hard to help them get to the top.

4. They never put things off

Think about the last time you dealt with something you were dreading head-on. Didn’t it feel great to get it over and done with?

Now imagine feeling like that all the time. That’s the true definition of confidence. Confident people know that procrastination is a death sentence, so they never put anything important on the back burner. They don’t wait for the perfect time or situation to strike – because even if the timing isn’t right … they’re going to make it right.

5. They never avoid conflict

Let’s be honest – no one likes having difficult conversations or butting heads with others. But when you’re confident, you accept that conflict is a part of everyday life.

Rather than avoiding it, confident people are the first to make tough decisions or initiate uncomfortable conversations. They don’t do it because they enjoy it – they do it so they can keep moving everyone to success.