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Confidence Tips for Outstanding Leaders (And why it matters)

We know that compassionate leaders are capable of creating safe and supportive environments for their teams, where people thrive. For most however, this is a learned trait, which is why we offer these confidence tips as one of the more important leadership characteristics.confidence tips

We face huge challenges today; as human beings, as leaders, as citizens who inhabit the planet Earth. These can only be addressed when heart-centered, compassionate leaders with the right values choose to step into their true power, leverage their influence, and make the necessary change happen.

Have you noticed that in your workplace, in your community, people who have power very often lack authenticity, integrity, and basic emotional intelligence? And people who are intuitive, empathic, service-oriented do not possess power to make decisions and get more and more upset with the decisions that people in power make?

Self-Regard and Leadership Characteristics

A well-balanced self-regard, which is the basis of healthy confidence, is one of the key ingredients that helps heart-centered leaders truly shine and make a difference.

In an article at Forbes.com, leadership strategist and former contributor Victor Lipman writes, “We often talk about the big marquee leadership qualities like charisma, authority, strategic thinking, and the ability to present eloquently to an audience [yet] … Good old confidence is as valuable on an everyday basis as any of them.”

Such thinking, he explains, is critical to a management role in business. Support for this comes from an article on how to build confidence at the Harvard Business Review: “Very few people succeed in business without a degree of confidence.”

While this may seem like stating the obvious, it begs the question why so many under-qualified individuals with poor relational skills are elevated to leadership roles. Who makes these decisions and why is confidence not considered as valuable as competence?

Strong Leaders are Secure in Self

Constant self-doubt is not among the characteristics team members wish to see in their leader. It creates an unsafe environment and evokes self-doubt and frustration in the team. Then again, as explained in the book, Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? , “…leaderless groups have a natural tendency to elect self-centered, overconfident and narcissistic individuals as leaders.”

Mistaking these characteristics for charisma or charm, or a confidence they lack in themselves, this false confidence is often mistaken for competence.

“Yet arrogance and overconfidence are inversely related to leadership talent,” author Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic explains. “[That is] the ability to build and maintain high performance teams, and to inspire followers to set aside their selfish agendas in order to work for the common interest of the group.”

Conversely, and again quoting Mr. Lipman in the Forbes article:

“In hard or uncertain times, of which there are many, employees want to be guided by a leader who projects confidence. It send[s] the right calming message, as do its close first cousins, resilience and optimism … People don’t want to follow leaders who show uncertainty and anxiety. Fear is contagious. As is confidence, but in a more productive direction.”

Characteristics of a Confident Leader

At this point it should go without saying – but must be said regardless – that the word “self” is the key to self-confidence and/or self-regard. That is, recognizing your own strengths and limitations, as well as your skills, knowledge, and talents will enable you to play to your strengths and keep you on top of your game.

Confidence tips from the HBR article:

Do:

  • Be honest with yourself about what you know and what you still need to learn
  • Practice doing the things you are unsure about
  • Embrace new opportunities to prove you can do difficult things

Don’t:

  • Focus excessively on whether you or not you have the ability – think instead about the value you provide
  • Hesitate to ask for external validation if you need it
  • Worry about what others think – focus on yourself, not a theoretical and judgmental audience

This is the type of self-knowledge and self-acceptance that make exceptional leaders. Beyond these characteristics, being willing to challenge yourself to improve is also important.

Self-confidence Enhances Other Leadership Skills

Leaders who are long on self-confidence are willing to take risks, knowing they have the skills to succeed. While these individuals will reject blatantly unwarranted criticism, they willingly and eagerly accept feedback as a path to improving themselves. This is the power of a growth mindset in action.

While not particularly immodest, confident leaders are also not arrogant. Rather, knowing that they can’t “know it all”, they seek help to learn new skills and to acquire valuable knowledge. Lacking in false pride, they are never meek or submissive, yet they can display humility when appropriate.

It is these very characteristics which allow others to trust a confident leader. Why? They know they are being mentored in ways that will benefit the entire team.

I remain available for a consultation if you are struggling to implement these confidence tips to improve your performance as a leader. Click here to find out how and to schedule your free call.