The Executive Ladder

Confidence or lack of it

I have a confession to make, I love TV - it’s one of my guilty pleasures.  Why am I telling you this?  Because one of my favorite shows just happens to tie into this week’s theme on confidence. 

Have you ever watched TLC’s What Not to Wear?  I started watching it because I liked to see the transformation from no style to well-dressed.  But, I got hooked on the transformation that takes place in the “contributor’s” confidence, not their new look.  In one week, not only do they get a new wardrobe and haircut, they get a new perspective on life.  How great is that?

If I had to guess, I would say that at some point in everyone’s life, they have had a dip in their confidence level.  When it seeps into our professional lives, it can cause consequences that cancel out all of our hard work. 

After being contacted by several people for confidence coaching, I decided to write this article. More and more people are realizing the effect it has on their personal and professional lives.  No one is exempt – anyone from the CEO down to the new interns can suffer from a lack of confidence. 

To keep your confidence level in check, read this week’s brand new article!

The Silent Career Killer

I consider myself lucky – I am surrounded by amazing people.  They can be described as smart, successful, witty, passionate, and more.  So, I’m shocked when I listen to these very people put themselves down.  How it is that someone who is so great can have doubts about their value?  I (and most others) see their accomplishments and their potential while they worry about their perceived failures and shortcomings. 

A lack of self-confidence is dangerous to your career.  It can manifest itself with arrogant or self-deprecating behavior.  Our fears and insecurities are directly linked to our level of confidence.  If you aren’t confident in your abilities and the value you offer, how can you expect someone else to be?  In the end, you could very well be passed up for the promotion you want. 

What happens to people who are unsure of their value?  At the extreme, they don’t take risks and they set goals that are too low for fear of failure.  Often, they don’t feel that they deserve success, money, promotions, etc. and may settle for less than what is easily attainable.  For people who suffer from occasional declines in their confidence level, they can be afraid to voice their opinions; focus on the disadvantages of new opportunities; and have a harder time reaching their goals.   

On the other hand, successful professionals are dynamic, decisive, and courageous.  How can you possess these traits without being confident?

What most people don’t realize is that our actions are perpetuating the problem, not improving it.  So how do you improve your confidence (if you suffer from severe self-esteem issues, I recommend seeing a mental health professional)?  Check out these five tips:

1.      Stop the self-sabotaging behaviors.  Every time that you start to put yourself down, either in conversation or in your own head, stop.  Replace that thought with a positive one.  When someone compliments you, simply say “thank you.”  Instead of asking “why me” ask “why not me?” 

2.      Don’t expect perfection from yourself.  It’s great to have high expectations, but remember that you can’t be good at everything.  Accept the fact that you have weaknesses – you are human.  Put yourself in a position where you are building on your strengths and not overcoming your weaknesses. The more successes you experience, the more your confidence will rise. 

3.      Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who are supportive.  Let go of relationships with people who feel compelled to point out all of your weaknesses.  If you can’t separate yourself from them, put it in perspective and limit your interaction with them.  People like this typically make themselves feel better by putting down those they find intimidating. 

4.      Don’t compare yourself to others.   Define success for yourself and create a plan to reach your goals.  Take stock of your achievements by focusing on what have you accomplished in your personal or professional life.  Remind yourself of this from time to time and be proud.

5.      Invest in yourself.  If you don’t take care of yourself, who is going to do it for you?  It’s amazing how much a new haircut or a new suit can affect your self-esteem.  It’s not frivolous to take time out of your schedule to take care of yourself, especially if doing so makes you feel better.  Don’t stop there.    Continue to expand your knowledge and skills on whatever is important to you.

Don't be the boss you hate (Part 3)

According to a recent poll of HR professionals, only ten percent of managers are fully prepared for the next level.  Given this information, is it really a surprise that approximately fifty percent of promotions fail (source: Corporate Leadership Council) when the selection decision is based on current performance level? 

One of the most important qualities of a good leader is the ability and desire to develop their employees.  Taking an active role in the development of your team demonstrates confidence and concern for the future of the organization.  Although talent development should be part of a company-wide initiative, most of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the supervisors.  Unfortunately, development coaching doesn’t come naturally to many leaders.  By following these tips, you can prepare your employees for success at the next level.

1. Encourage professional development.  High-potential employees are not satisfied with the status quo.  You WANT these employees your team.  They are typically ambitious, high performing, and dynamic.  They will be the future leaders of your organization if they are given proper guidance in their development.  If not, be prepared to lose them to the competition. 

2. Create a plan.  Planning is crucial to advancing your career.  Help your employees establish goals that are aligned with their strengths, interest and experience and then create a plan to get there.  A development plan serves as the roadmap that will take you to your goal.  It can be simple or complex but it must include action steps, resources, and deadlines.  Not sure where to focus your attention?  Try the step-by-step promotion planning eClass.  You will focus only on building necessary skills and overcoming obstacles to get you to your targeted position. 

3. Pair your employee’s with a mentor.  Once their goals have been established, find someone who is in a similar role to the target position to serve as a mentor.  Mentoring enables an organization to use it’s existing talent to impart their knowledge and expertise to one another.  Everyone – the organization, the mentor, and the mentee – benefits from the mentoring process.

4. Identify opportunities to expand their professional network.  Having a solid network is imperative to the success of future leaders.  A network is a great source of information, advice, support and inspiration.  Recommend opportunities within the organization, as well as, networking or professional groups that will help them build strong connections. 

5. Challenge your employees to move out of their comfort zone.  You can’t move forward if you don’t grow and you can’t grow if you never leave your comfort zone.  When possible, give your employees challenging assignments.  Help them prepare by providing them a safe environment to learn from the mistakes that they are bound to make. 

6. Hire a coach.  For high-potential employees and employees who need to be redirected to another career path, it can be best to bring in an outside coach.  An external coach provides a confidential environment where employees are free to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their careers through the use of assessments, powerful questions, and individual development plans.