As leaders, we all have insecurities. We have times when we second guess ourselves. We have times when we feel like we're in over our head. Yes. Even the most confident leader you know faces times like that. Some are just better at hiding it than others.
But here is the good news. Confidence is something that you can build up over time.
Yes. Some leaders seem to be born with more confidence than others. But anyone can lead with confidence when they have a plan to improve in this area.
Those who lead with confidence take action and project confidence even when they are feeling afraid inside. They walk forward even though their knees are shaking.
Here are some ways you can build your self-confidence as a leader.
Get outside your comfort zone. Confidence grows when you get outside of your comfort zone and you push yourself. Don't be satisfied with where you are right now as a leader. Comfortable may sound good, but it's not a place where you will experience growth as a leader. Discomfort leads to growth.
Grow your confidence by making mistakes and then building yourself back up. Make failure a catalyst to work harder. Failure is part of the process.
Look what Michael Jordan says about this.
"The key to success is failure. I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
"I've never been afraid to fail. Failure makes me work even harder. I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder next time."
Learn from those who are leading with confidence. How do they lead during times of uncertainty and fear? What qualities do they have that you need to work on? How can you develop those qualities? Sit down with them and ask them questions about how they are leading with confidence.
Remind yourself of past successes. Do this. Take a few minutes to write down some things you have accomplished in the past. You will be more impressed with yourself than you thought.
Confidence comes with experience. The longer you do something consistently, the more confidence you will develop.
Understand that there is a big difference between being confident and being arrogant. Being arrogant is a manifestation of pride while being confident is trusting the process.
Learn all you can about leading with confidence. Take a course. Read books about it. Study the life of confident leaders.
Don't try to do it on your own. You need a group of peers who you can talk to, learn from and collaborate with. Having colleagues that you can connect with will help you understand that you are not the only one going through this.
Ask for feedback. Leaders who ask for feedback are seen as more confident than those who don’t. Don't let your insecurities keep you from gaining valuable lessons about confidence.
Greet people with confidence. Watch how you carry yourself. Watch your posture. Make eye contact with people. Smile. Use a firm handshake.
Ask for help when it is needed. Confident leaders are not afraid to ask for help. They glean from the talents of others.
Stand on His Word. Know that He is with you. Claim the promises of His Word.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!" I Chronicles 16:11
"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
You and God have got this. Be confident. Walk outside of your comfort zone. Stand upon the promises of God.
