Building Confidence as a Leader
Dec 14, 2022
Leaders are expected to exude confidence both in the direction they provide, as well as in their ability to lead and motivate others. Being confident can easily be perceived as arrogant. It can be a fine line. Confident leaders know themselves well and what their personal abilities are, but they present themselves in a manner that builds the trust of those they lead. The arrogant leader is also confident, but tends to build resentment among those they lead.
Building your own confidence as a leader will help you and your team achieve your goals as well as create an atmosphere of enthusiasm as the team creates momentum toward future goals. Each team member begins to believe in themselves.
Here are some tips for building your own confidence as well as the confidence of others:
- Acknowledge your own talents. Spend some time evaluating and focusing on your strengths. Look inward so that you avoid comparing yourself to others and falling into the trap of imposter syndrome (a.k.a. "I will never be good enough"). Too many of us try to focus on improving our weaknesses, which is the wrong approach when trying to build confidence. Instead, focus on improving your strengths and find people on your team with the strengths where you are weak.
- Take pride in yourself. While taking pride in yourself is perceived to negate one's humility, you can actually be proud of yourself without sacrificing humility. Pride not only feeds your soul, it helps you appreciate your accomplishments, which in turn builds your motivation to act with confidence.
- Surround yourself with people who believe in you. When you do this, it creates a powerful motivation for you. Nothing is as powerful as people who think you're great. Make sure you are intentional about maintaining those connections, because these are the people who will help you refocus your perspective when you face setbacks (and you will). Conversely, avoid the negative people in your universe as much as possible.
- Grow your knowledge base. One of the best ways to grow your confidence as a person and a leader is to expand your knowledge related to your profession. When you do this, you create an additional tool or tools in your bag that enhance your ability to make good decisions. When you make a series of good decisions, you start to gain experience, which then leads to wisdom. Wisdom is perhaps THE greatest way to grow confidence as a leader.
There are many ways to grow and build your confidence as a leader. By setting your goals, creating a plan and sticking with it through daily discipline, you will begin to establish the elements that create confident leadership. Your self-confidence will grow as will the confidence your team has in you to make the right decision(s).
Finish this week strong!
- Dean
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