You’re not alone in this camp.
My recent survey invited executives and leaders to share their biggest challenge. I found the result surprising in that…
- Well over 50% of respondents said that their fluctuating confidence was the greatest inhibitor to their success as a leader
- These leaders are also concerned that their confidence level is inhibiting their career progression.
But, You Wouldn’t Guess
I must say, you wouldn’t guess that most of these leaders who’re concerned about their fluctuating confidence, are lacking in confidence. They’re good at covering it up.
But their concerns about their leadership keep them awake at night because they’re feeling anxious about their decisions, how they’re managing performance (or not), how they’re dealing with tricky situations (or not), and so on.
What You Focus on Is What You See
The thing about “confidence” is that it’s simply an interpretation—a belief pattern.
Change the lens through which you view yourself and your world—and you create a changed world.
For example, if you and I have a conversation about the economy and agree that it’s deteriorating, that’s what we’ll see. A deteriorating economy.
But if you and I have a conversation about the economy and agree that it’s looking like an upswing is about to occur, that’s what we’ll see.
Same goes for your leadership. Focus on the things you do well. That, in itself, will begin to clear the way for consistently higher confidence.
I’m Not Suggesting That You Neglect Your Development Areas
Especially don’t neglect your development if you’re avoiding anything, anything at all. Avoiding issues will knock your confidence, big time.
For example, if you’re avoiding having a tricky conversation with your boss, or if you’re avoiding having a discussion with a team member about how their performance needs to be lifted—that will seriously dent your confidence.
If this is ringing bells for you, it’s crucial that you get help in how to confront tricky situations.
No avoiding anything—if you want to consistently feel confident.
Your Call to Action
You’re in control of how confident you feel as a leader…
- Decide to focus on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours that have you feeling like a strong, confident leader
- Take action to develop the competencies that have been knocking your confidence around.
Be sure to skill-up quickly if you’re avoiding confronting tricky issues. That’s the biggest confidence destroyer of them all!
“Leaders who want to find new approaches to seemingly
intractable issues will certainly benefit from Carolyn’s coaching.”
—Leader, not-for-profit sector
About the Author:
Carolyn Stevens has worked with executives and leaders for more than 25-years.
She’s helped hundreds of leaders flourish and become more confident, courageous and impressively influential (including those who’ve previously struggled to confront difficult situations, let alone persuasively deal with them).
Plus, as a personal career strategist, she specialises in helping ambitious female senior executives create a reputation as an indispensable world-class leader.
Carolyn is authentic and results-oriented. She’ll draw on an eclectic array of approaches, tools and techniques to suit your situation.
She’s never too busy to talk to you if you’re in a hurry to boost your success. Same goes for leaders you refer.
Just email if you’d like to arrange a time to chat: carolyn@leadingperformance.com.au
