Confidence may seem to come naturally for some people, as though they were simply born with it. Maybe that’s true to some extent, but more often than not, it comes from life’s experiences, with all their bumps, bruises, setbacks, and victories. The same is true when it comes to being a confident leader. It takes time, patience, practice, and the choice to be a lifelong learner. And at any point in your career, there are steps you can take to keep honing and perfecting your confidence level.
Here are some tips to lead with confidence:
Pick a role model.
From your network of managers, colleagues, and contacts outside your company, pick someone whom you admire and respect for their leadership confidence. Which of their qualities would you like to emulate and adopt?
- An added bonus: Having a network of mentors and other experts is a healthy way to share common, real-world challenges. You can help one another as you focus on what you need to continuously get better in your careers.
Learn about leadership.
The more you know about a subject, the more confident you’ll become. Take courses, attend workshops, join and participate in professional organizations, and participate in social media groups and discussions so you can see what other leaders do and master the tools, techniques, and strategic tactics of successful leadership.
Project confidence.
You may be terrified on the inside, but learn to ooze confidence from the outside. Are you terrified at the thought of public speaking or making a big corporate presentation? Then, consider taking a course on public speaking.
- Self-confidence is the mark of someone with high emotional intelligence. EI isn’t an innate quality; rather, it can be learned and perfected throughout your life and career.
Be decisive.
Don’t give in to self-doubt. It’s not an accident that you’ve been put in a leadership position. Know that you have what it takes to be there.
- Confident leaders are decisive. They’re comfortable taking calculated risks, which can mean making decisions even without 100 percent certainty. They would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.
- Trust your gut. Your experience, instincts, and EI will lead you in the right direction. Actively listen to input from trusted team members, then make it happen.
Take stock of all you do.
Confident leaders are humble, but that doesn’t mean being modest 24/7. Take a few minutes to write down everything you’ve accomplished in the past week or so. Chances are, you’ll be pretty impressed – and others would too. Slip one or two of these wins into your next conversation with your manager, a company leader, or a customer.
- Be good to yourself. Set realistic expectations, even if it means changing your timetable for reaching certain goals or asking others for help. This is a sure way to boost confidence – and, you deserve it.
As you develop your leadership skills, turn to the expert career coaches at PrideStaff Modesto for insight, ideas, expertise, and the secrets to your ongoing professional success. We can help as you grow in your current role or take things to the next level with the right new opportunity. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.
