Confidence is a vital leadership skill that inspires trust and motivates others to take on challenges. Surprisingly, a recent study found that 78% of leaders struggle with imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome can lead to indecisiveness, unclear communication, and erosion of trust in your team. Leaders must intentionally build confidence to ensure a healthy company culture and team success.
Despite conventional belief, confidence is not an innate personality trait. Confidence is a skill developed through practice and self-reflection. I find doing simple, daily confidence-boosting practices is the best way to build confidence. Here are the practices my leadership team and I use at Technalink to build confidence:
Do Five Minutes Of Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations involve repeating uplifting and encouraging statements to yourself. Choose leadership affirmations that help build confidence, like:
● I have the skills to lead effectively
● I inspire positivity in my team
● I embrace challenges as opportunities for leadership growth
Affirmations reinforce a positive self-image and assist in rewiring the brain to concentrate on your strengths, boosting your confidence.
Write In A Gratitude Journal
A gratitude journal is where you list things in your life that make you feel grateful. In your gratitude journal, try answering these three questions every day:
● What was one leadership challenge I overcame today?
● Who inspired me at work today?
● What skill did I get to use today to solve a problem?
Gratitude journaling shifts your focus away from what you feel you are missing to what you have in abundance. Shifting your mindset cultivates positivity and builds confidence.
Practice Mindful Breathing
Mindful breathing is about focusing on your breathing pattern to achieve calmness. Start by sitting comfortably in a quiet space. Pay attention to the rhythm of your inhales and exhales, observing each breath. Mindful breathing helps reduce stress and anxiety, clearing your mind and enhancing self-awareness and confidence.
Do A Posture Check
A posture check involves being mindful of and improving your body posture. Every day, check your posture. Stand or sit tall with your back straight, shoulders back, and head held high. Strong posture projects confidence. When you project confidence, you are perceived as confident by your peers and yourself. The more your body is in a position of confidence, the more your mind adopts a confident attitude.
Set A Daily Learning Goal
Every day, choose a small, achievable learning objective related to personal or professional development. Goals could be reading a book, learning a small skill, or practicing a second language. Consistently achieving these goals fosters a sense of accomplishment and growth, which is vital for building confidence.
Overcoming imposter syndrome can be challenging, but practicing these daily techniques will build your confidence over time. I also recommend incorporating Tiger’s Eye and Lemon Topaz Mala into your mindfulness practices. Tiger’s Eye is a deeply grounding stone that brings strength, courage, and self-assurance. Lemon Topaz improves mental clarity, promotes optimism, and helps release stress. Together, they are a powerful tool leaders use to cultivate confidence.
Leave a Reply