5 Strategies to Build Confidence

Article

Jun 11

Confidence is an essential part of leadership. Yet, many leaders struggle with feeling confident in their roles. In this article you learn 5 strategies to build confidence as a leader. But before we dive into the strategies we first want you to take a look at what it means to be confident. What does confidence look like for you?

What Does It Mean To Be Confident?

Building your confidence starts with defining what confidence looks like. Does it mean hiding our flaws? Does it mean being the first to speak up? Does it mean keeping a brave face in the workplace but being anxiety-ridden at home? Confidence comes in many forms and can look different for everyone.

Take a moment to reflect on a moment you felt confident. What was it about this situation that you defined as a moment of confidence?

5 Strategies To Build Your Confidence As A Leader

Now that you have reflected on what confidence means to you, it is time to get to the 5 Strategies To Build Confidence as a leader.

Learn to trust your instincts.
As a leader, when making decisions, you often rely on the available facts and information. In these everchanging times, you may be dealing with competing or incomplete information. Luckily, in these cases, you have another tool in your toolbox to help you with your decision-making: your intuition. Once you can trust your instincts, you are less dependent on having complete information. You can confidently follow your intuition, even if you are unclear about where it leads you or your team.
One way to learn to trust your instincts is by practicing making small decisions every day based on your intuition.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
Do you feel like you need to have all the answers? Most people do. Especially when leading a team, it can feel like everyone is looking at you for all the answers. We often assume that as a leader, we are the ones who are supposed to know the right thing to say and the right course to take.
This could not be farther from the truth. Leadership is not about knowing all the answers. Instead, leading your team is about asking the right questions and helping your team bring together collective wisdom. Knowing this is not the case can be freeing and confidence-building.
Know that you can always change your mind.
Another common misconception in leadership is that a good leader is always decisive and determined. In light of those traits, changing your mind can sometimes be perceived as a weakness. On the contrary, we believe that changing your mind doesn't make you weak. Instead, it shows you're confident enough to reflect on your own thinking and confront your biases.
Allow yourself to change your mind. Remember that you are always learning and growing. If you find yourself getting in over your head or when you find yourself in a situation you don't like, know that you can always change your mind. This does not mean you made a mistake. It's a part of your journey.
Know your strengths.
You have innate strengths that are consistent and reliable. Perhaps you always have new ideas, solve problems creatively, write beautifully, manage others well or build relationships. You can rely on these core strengths in every situation, even if it's a new role, job, industry, or problem. While learning the specifics for the new opportunity remember that you bring something golden that is uniquely you.
Know your values.
Just like you have core strengths, you have inner values. Core values are the principles you stand for and demonstrate in how you lead your career and your life. Perhaps you value integrity, humor, creativity, generosity, truth, or adventure. When you use your values to help you make choices, you are authentic, even while learning and growing.

Give Yourself Time

With these 5 strategies to build confidence as a leader, you will have a foundation to continue on in your leadership development. However, here is a bonus tip: don’t try to practice all 5 strategies at once. Rather, look for incremental improvement and celebrate your success. Before you know it, you'll feel and act like a more confident leader.

About the Author

Lead True Global Leader Franciska Dekker is a systems thinker, both a pragmatic person and a visionary idealist. She is an expert in conscious leadership development: leading on a day-to-day from Presence. During 1985-2002 she has held a variety of positions with FAO in Africa and in the Caribbean, and with Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands. There after, starting in 2000, she changed her career to coaching and leadership development.