How important is it to lead with confidence?  Confidence impacts every part of your leadership from your own personal development to the way you influence the people you lead.  But before we talk about what confidence is, let’s talk about what it is not.

 There are so many myths surrounding confidence.  First, let’s start with what confidence is not.  Confidence does not mean that you will not sometimes feel afraid or nervous.  Confidence is not an all or nothing deal.  There is not just one kind of confidence.  Confidence does not have to be preset before tackling a big project.  Confidence doesn’t come from achieving great things.  It does not mean that you will never receive criticism or feedback.  Confidence is not obtained through self-criticism. 

Confidence is a key part of a leader’s leadership.  You can have many of the attributes of a great leader.  But, if a leader doesn’t believe in him or herself, leadership will only exist in a title.

In reality, self-confidence is one of the most important assets a leader can and will ever possess.  Without confidence, you will find it difficult to lead anything.  Without confidence, you will discover that you will be without followers.  People like to follow a leader that demonstrates confidence.  Having confidence makes it easy for others to trust you.  And people like leaders they can trust.

So if you are lacking in the department of confidence, remember that confidence is a belief in one’s self and one’s ability to succeed.  This can only happen with self-development.  You will discover that with confidence, you will be happier, more motivated, ambitious, ready to take calculated risk, accepting of feedback, determined, and overall a better leader.  This will all happen because you would have worked on building an inner confidence, which will allow you to get to know yourself before trying to help someone else.

How can you build better confidence with your leadership?  What do you need to read, learn, or do to build this self-confidence needed to lead effectively?  Please leave a comment below or email me directly.

Bryant

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