SELF CONFIDENCE. Your Key to Becoming a Great Leader.

Confidence is key to success. 

As people, we sometimes find ourselves in situations that leave us feeling uncomfortable and uncertain. As leaders, stepping into the unknown, that’s pretty much guaranteed. And that can lead to lack of confidence. But confidence ebbs and flows. This is where impostor syndrome can rear its ugly head. An estimated 70% of people experience this at some point in their lives, according to a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science. 

When you’re at the helm, this can feel pretty lonely; especially when you’re the one that everyone looks to point them in the right direction. If you’re the leader, you have no choice; you have to go first. 

So, if confidence is required in leadership, how do you develop the confidence required to be the leader?

Learn About Leadership

Take a course, read books and get a mentor. Learn the frameworks, tools and skills required to lead. The more you know about a subject, the more confident you’ll be.

Know Your Strengths (and Your Weaknesses)

Knowing your leadership strengths will give you confidence in what you’re already great at and being aware of your weaknesses will help you in getting the support you need in areas that aren’t strengths of yours.

Ask Others For Help

Confident leaders draw on the talents of others without feeling threatened. The win is that you will instill confidence in your team by allowing others to shine. 

Stop Asking for Permission 

At the end of the day, leadership is about having the confidence to make decisions and if one is afraid to make and commit to decisions, all of the communication and empowerment in the world won't make one iota of a difference. Confident leaders would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.

Surround Yourself With Other Leaders

While it’s good to learn about leadership from courses and reading, putting those ideas into practice is hard and mistakes will be made. Having a network or support group of peers is a healthy way to share common, real-world challenges. It will give you the knowledge that “I’m not the only one who feels this way.”

Get it Done 

Confident leadership not only consists of strong decision making ability but also includes acting on those decisions. Creating a plan, executing and the evaluation creates trust and allows your team to see your vision in action. The greater they perceive your tenacity and determination, the more faith they will have in your company and its mission. 

Celebrate Others

The essence of leadership is helping others around you become more successful. Support others to gain self-awareness, coach them and help put them in the best position to be successful. When your team or colleagues hit a milestone or do something awesome, let them—and everyone else—know. 

Look Confident

Pay attention to your physical appearance. Watch your posture, make eye contact, smile and use a firm grip when you shake hands. While you may be terrified inside, learn to “fake it till you make it” by appearing confident. Check out this Ted Talks.

Develop Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Self-confidence is the mark of an emotionally intelligent leader. EQ isn’t something you are born with; it too can be learned and developed.

Confidence is crucial and basic in leading yourself and leading others. The confident will take the information that they have and take action. That is the definition of leadership.

What is the one thing you do to grow as a leader?