Increasing Self-Confidence in the Workplace
Throughout my career as a coach and advisor, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with thousands of professionals from across the globe. Some of them are interested in crafting a more compelling resume. Others want to build a strong social media presence. And some seek counsel on creating a relevant and recognizable personal brand. Still, others seek counsel on managing and growing their careers. Inevitably, my conversations with them stray from the purely business side of things into matters more personal. After all, when you are busy managing your career, your product is you. And you are a whole person, not merely a professional.
One thing that I have learned from my years of working closely with people is that one of the biggest assets, not just in your career but in life, is self-confidence. In particular, developing confidence in the workplace is not easy. It requires work, time, and dedication.
If you struggle with gaining confidence in the workplace, here are some tips:
Don’t focus on what others think. So much energy is expended by wondering and worrying about how others perceive us.
Recognize your uniqueness. There is only one you. No one else can do exactly what you can do. You have unique skills, experiences, thoughts, and ideas.
Have a reality check. Be bold. Be blunt. Find out how others perceive you. Remember the mantra that “feedback is love.” Don’t be hesitant to ask for honest, sometimes uncomfortable input.
Define success on your own terms. Far too often, we define success by measures that we get from other people.
Get out of your comfort zone. Volunteer for a project that will help you build new skills. Apply for a job that feels like a stretch but matches your interests.
Emulate others. Take note of what fellow self-confident employees do with regard to their daily work habits.
Identify strengths and weaknesses. Conduct a candid self-assessment. What are you good at? What areas do you need to improve?
Fake it till you make it/if you build it, they will come. Sometimes, the day you become an expert is when you decide you’re an expert.
Get testimonials. Having a third party attest to your competence is one of the most compelling ways to boost your internal brand.
Speak with confidence. Eliminate “uhm,” “ah,” “I think,” “I feel,” and “in my opinion” from your lexicon. Doing so will project confidence in the workplace.
Be decisive. Don’t waffle. Look at the data, review the options, and pull the trigger. Don’t make decisions by committee.
Be prepared. You’ve heard the saying that failing to plan is planning to fail. Always be prepared. Read the materials before you get to the meeting. Don’t set a meeting without an agenda. Have a backup plan in case of inevitable failure.
It is important to note that self-confidence is not the same thing as competence. There are many people who lack confidence in the workplace while being perfectly competent at their jobs. The problem is that when you are not confident in yourself, people begin to question your credibility and qualifications. Without confidence in the workplace, you cannot glean confidence from others.