Step into the level that changes the game
For Female Leaders in sport who are ready to lead on top of their game – where leadership meets legacy.
Hi there,
Yes, I'm talking to you:-)
You, the ambitious, leadership-driven woman in a male-dominated world, often ‘the only woman at the table.’ On one hand, you enjoy it because….less of the ‘crab mentality’ and drama. On the other hand, it puts extra pressure on you. As the only woman, you have to excel. Not just for yourself, but also for all those other women. And let’s not forget about managing your private life….
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You operate at the highest level.
High-stakes tournaments. Political dynamics.
Executive rooms where every word carries weight.
You didn’t get here by accident.
You earned your seat in rooms that were never designed for you. And you stayed.
Now the question is no longer:
“Do I belong here?”
The question is:
“Am I playing my full game?”
Because playing at this level and playing relaxed are not the same thing.
Is this you?
- You rarely walk into a room fully relaxed. Alert? Yes. Relaxed? Not quite.
- The evening before a decisive board meeting, you reopen the deck at 22:37. One slide feels “slightly off.” You adjust a sentence. Tighten a headline. Not because it’s weak - but because you refuse to leave space for doubt.
- In discussions, you often know your position within minutes. Still, when you speak, you add context. Nuance. A bridge. You turn a sharp point into a well-constructed argument - so it cannot be dismissed as “too direct.”
- When a colleague interrupts or states something half-formed with confidence, you pause. You read the room. You calculate whether correcting him will cost political capital. By the time you decide, the conversation has moved on.
- When your team underdelivers, you feel it in your body before you think it. A tightening. A forward lean. You step in. Rewrite. Refine. It’s faster if you do it yourself. And everyone knows you will.
- After a high-stakes conversation, you replay one specific moment on the drive home. Not the whole meeting. Just that sentence. The tone. The pause. You ask yourself whether you gave away ground - even if nobody else noticed.
From the outside, you are composed. Strategic. Established.
Inside, your system is still managing risk.
You are not insecure.
You are not underqualified.
You are simply leading with a level of alertness that no longer matches your position.
And that constant calibration costs energy.
You've been feeling it for a while:
it's time for a change
But when? Because you’re already busy enough. But if we’re being honest, what you really want is:
- To confidently assert yourself as a woman in a male-dominated world without compromising an ounce of your femininity.
- To make that bold career move with self-assurance, focusing on "what do I truly want" instead of "what am I asked to do" or "what strokes my ego and gives me prestige."
- To present yourself with unwavering confidence, whether it's in front of clients, within your team, or in the boardroom, showcasing your powerful and authentic feminine leadership
- To assertively secure the appropriate compensation; that salary that truly reflects your value but which you have hesitated to claim until now; simply because you're 100% deserving of it
And that’s where I come in.
About
Esther Huijsmans
Hi, I am Esther! As a Feminine Leadership Mentor, I assist ambitious women in leadership positions in male-dominated organisations to powerfully and confidently get to the top without compromising their femininity or sense of self.
With over 20 years of experience at the highest level in the world of football, I know firsthand what it’s like to be “the only woman at the table” in a male-dominated world. I understand the challenges and can offer you practical possibilities that you may not see on your own; I don’t just coach from the sidelines but draw from my experiences on the playing field.
let's do it
Work with me
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Programme
Are you a female manager in a male-dominated industry aiming to present yourself with unshakable self-confidence and power? In my 1-on-1 Feminine Leadership Programme, we work together for 6 months to empower you to become that powerful female leader who boldly and authentically claims her place in your organisation.
OWN YOUR GAME (start: NOV 2025)
SCORING BIG
In the Scoring Big VIP Programme, we’ll work together for one month on your network and Personal Brand.
You learn how to confidently present yourself online, in networking events, and during job interviews.
Speaker
At your event
In my signature speech "The Winning Game Plan: Strategies for Female Leaders to Succeed" I share practical tips and inspiring stories to help women discover and harness their leadership potential, break through the glass ceiling, and take our place at the top. Because the time for hesitancy is over, it's time to score! From the "glass ceiling" to "the sky is the limit!"
incompany trainings
As the "only woman at the table" in the world of football, I know firsthand the challenges women face in male-dominated environments. In my InCompany Training, I share my tips and experiences and empower women to confidently present themselves with strength and self-assurance.
What others say
In addition to having a lot of fun in the mentorship programme with Esther, it has greatly helped me to recognise and address my own pitfalls. Moreover, I've become much more aware of my own strengths and capabilities, which I now have the courage to express!
Esther is a fantastic coach. She radiates a very positive vibe. With a wealth of experience, she knows how to help you find the right paths; to motivate you to persevere, even when things get tough, and above all, to listen and ask the right questions, leading you to many insights. I've greatly benefited from my journey with her and would definitely recommend such a programme.
The SUCCESS programme is a true investment in yourself, especially if you're a woman working in the sports/events industry. Esther has walked the same path, and she can propel your professional career into a higher gear. Esther shows you what you need to work on; she's clear, practical, and with a variety of exercises (ranging from down-to-earth to sometimes even a bit spiritual), you discover your areas for improvement and receive a nice confirmation of what you're good at.
Blog
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