Leading with confidence
It’s no question that the most critical part of being a leader is the ability to inspire confidence. A leader can be the most organised, a brilliant strategist, and an innovator yet without confidence, the people under him/her would have second thoughts following him/her. People know when someone is not confident as they seem. It could be the way they talk, the words they are using, and even their body language. Without self-confidence, you would have a difficult time convincing the team to follow you in your vision. If your team is not following you, then you’re a leader in name only.
In a survey done by Gartner, only 50% of employees agree that their leader is effectively creating a vision for the future of their team. How does this relate to having self-confidence as a leader? Well, in another survey, it shows that only more than half of the 2,800 leaders surveyed feel that they are confident enough to lead their organisations. The other half, not so much. This is a big problem for both small and big companies. A crisis of confidence in your management team does not bode well for the future of your business. Leading with confidence is the first step to being a great leader. So where do you begin?
Avoid Triggers
Avoid being around people, places, or situations that trigger negative thoughts. Thoughts that will make you feel that you are not good enough. It is essential that you identify these triggers early on so you can avoid them in the first place. You might have that one colleague that is way too critical of your leadership skills. Maybe it’s a place that brings back bad memories. Whatever it is, it is important to acknowledge and identify them as triggers for your self-doubt and just completely avoid them. What matters is that you have a team that needs your leadership.
Rediscover Your Passion
Why are you here? Whenever you feel like you are not good enough, ask yourself that question. What made you successful enough to be in a leadership role. What was that fire that gave you the strength to face countless challenges and took you to the top? What is your passion? Rediscovering your passion to motivate yourself is a great way to boost your self-confidence.
You Are Not Alone
Always remember that you are not the only one going through this. Everyone can feel that they are not good enough at least once in their lives. Everyone can feel afraid. Sometimes, knowing that is enough to get you back your self-confidence. Knowing is just the first part. You also need to take action. The only difference between a person with low confidence and a confident person is that the latter takes action and projects confidence even when they are terrified.
Learn more here: https://www.jamesshort.com.au/blogpost/leading-with-confidence/
