Do you find it difficult to make tough decisions? Do you second guess yourself? Are you able to decisively address conflict within your teams or peers? Do you feel threatened by other people’s performance at work? Can you comfortably lead meetings with authority? Are you open to give – and receive – both positive and constructive feedback? Do you become defensive when challenged? When it comes to leadership, do you consider confidence to be as important as knowledge and experience?
WITHOUT CONFIDENCE, THERE’S NO LEADERSHIP.
When you think of a confident leader, what do you have in mind? what is it that’s standing in your way of landing those positions you likely deserve? Chances are, it’s confidence.
At this moment, when so much change and uncertainty abounds, we need leaders who really know themselves, are self-managed, and are courageous enough to move organisations forward. Simply put, we need leaders with confidence.
Confidence is the cornerstone of leadership. Leaders may learn to be effective problem solvers, more decisive, better communicators, apply coaching and mentoring skills to their teams, and yet, without the leader’s ability to believe in themselves, true leadership will only exist in title.
Leaders who lack confidence, no matter how qualified they may be for the position, will find it difficult to lead others. Attempts at leadership development without first building confidence will provide very shaky foundations.
Leadership is about having the confidence to instill confidence in others. A leader is someone who is expected to make deliberate and accurate decisions appropriately, for which confidence is the driving force.
Having confidence in yourself will allow you to make spontaneous decisions without hesitation and without being afraid to commit to the outcomes.
Confidence is crucial and basic in leading a company and its people through change. Leaders must direct and motivate their groups to change how they work to develop a better future.
Low self-confidence divides average leaders from great leaders. Contrary to belief, the more responsibility we gain or the bigger the job title, the more we may doubt our abilities. The only advantage confident-seeming people have is that they’re able to take action and project confidence, even if they’re feeling terrified inside.
If you are in a position of leadership, it’s not an accident. Don’t give in to self-doubt. Others believe in you, so prove them right.
Confidence comes from experience, so you must have the willingness to try new things, take action and put your ideas in motion. This boldness to do builds confidence, even when the outcomes aren’t always successful.
The pandemic has driven many of us to feel stuck, frozen in fear. This is no time to give in or seek permission from others. Focus on the power of growth, leadership and moving everyone forward.
Today’s tragic climate requires of us leaders to build the self-confidence needed to handle any situation courageously. At the end of the day, all of life is a risk of some kind. Most actions do have a degree of uncertainty, and taking risks do often pay off.
You take a risk whenever you venture into the unknown, whether you are crossing a busy street, starting a business or leading a group of people. So the issue is not whether you take risks. The issue is how comfortable are you willing to get at taking risks. Leading confidently and courageously is about taking the right risks for the right reasons so you can steer in pursuit of the right goals and objectives.
Growing through your insecurities isn’t for the faint-hearted. Venturing into new opportunities and experiences will shape you into a more confident leader. So keep moving forward, and keep finding better ways to fix what’s getting on your way, that’s the safest risk.
More than ever before, the world needs leaders who are willing to chart new landscapes. Join us, and watch your people build the confidence needed to shape a better future.
Now I’d love to hear from you: What is one thing you will practice to build confidence in yourself and your leadership skills? Leave a comment below and please share with those you know need to hear this.
To your success,
Isabel
Isabel is an experienced Peak Performance Strategist with over 20 years of international work experience holding senior positions within the hospitality industry in countries around the world, as well as Executive and Leadership coaching, mentoring and training.
She specializes in high performance strategy, leadership development and building organizational culture to help leaders and their teams learn, grow and succeed.
Isabel is passionate about helping empower business leaders with the mindset, performance, skills and strategies that they need to get ahead.
More available on www.isabelvalle.com
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