How can I talk to my boss one-on-one with confidence?
The OP is clearly having a problem at work because of her confidence. She is asking for help because of this. I am thinking that makes this on topic.
As a related aside...
The op is brand new to SE. She can not edit her question herself. So instead of critising we might want to help her out by editing the question to make it more on topic if the problem is just the wording.
Frankly I think soft skills are on topic. Talking to her boss makes her nervous and there are a lot of other people who have the same problem, I did too when I was young.
Although I also see soft skills as on topic for The Workplace, I feel that since there are many book dedicated to this particular topic, the question falls under the category of
If you can imagine an entire book that answers your question, you’re asking too much.
in the FAQ.
If the question were confined to a more specific circumstance, then it might be on topic here, and jcmeloni's edit does make the question much better.
While soft skills per-se are on topic the question itself is not a really good one. It's not about the soft skills of how to approach your boss and describe and argue your project the question is about how to gain confidence in speaking with a psychologically dominating figure in this case her boss but it could be a parent, rude DMV clerk, etc. The situation in my mind doesn't have to necessarily to do with the workplace although had occurred in the workplace in this case.
I have seen situations like this myself. And in that situation it is really not about lack-of-confidence as a "self help topic".
While in all other situations people are just normal and confident but workplace situation overwhelms you to loose. This is very real and very important question because you feel very frustrated, lost and not tackling this mean getting affected in the career.
