How to grow confidence at work is one of he most commonly asked questions I receive from my blog. It’s not just people starting their HR or business careers either, it’s actually a combination of people at all ages, levels and with varying degrees of experience.
Confidence is a powerful attribute that can enable people to progress within their careers. The combination of knowledge and demonstrating that expertise in a confident manner can help inspire trust and open doors to new opportunities. While some may seem naturally self-assured, confidence is a skill that can be developed and honed by anyone.
In this blog post, I’m sharing some practical strategies that have helped me personally, and could help you become more confident at work, empowering you to take charge, overcome challenges, and thrive in your professional endeavors.
Embracing self-awareness
The first step towards building workplace confidence is developing self-awareness. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. It’s really important to celebrate your achievements and acknowledge the areas where you excel, not everyone has the same strengths and development areas, so refrain from comparing yourself to other people, focus on you and what results you’d like to see. Recognise and challenge any self-limiting beliefs that may hinder your confidence, by understanding yourself better, you can focus on personal growth and build confidence from a place of authenticity.
Set clear goals
Setting clear, achievable goals is instrumental in building confidence. When you have a roadmap for your professional development, you gain a sense of purpose and direction. Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. As you accomplish each milestone, your confidence will grow, spurring you on to take on more significant challenges.
Develop your expertise
One of the most effective ways to boost confidence at work is by building expertise in your field, my career really came to life when I discovered my passion for employment law and the impact it has upon small businesses, I love the challenge of it.
Focus upon continuously expanding your knowledge and skillset through training, certifications, and staying updated on industry trends. Every morning I listen to podcasts whilst I am at the gym, my favourites are Jay Shetty, Happy Place with Ferne Cotton and the Stompcast with Dr Alex George.
Don’t just stick with the day to day, seek out any opportunities to take on new projects or responsibilities that align with your interests and goals, this could be a new project mentioned in a meeting or a new initiative from the company, nothing grows in our comfort zones, so try and get involved with new things if you can. As you become an expert in your area, your confidence will naturally increase, enabling you to tackle complex tasks with ease.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity
We succeed through failure! Failure is a stepping stone towards growth and increased confidence. Rather than letting setbacks define you, view them as valuable learning experiences, look at what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and adapt your approach. Embracing a growth mindset allows you to learn from your mistakes, bounce back stronger, and ultimately build resilience and confidence.
Cultivate a positive mindset
A positive mindset is essential in generating workplace confidence.
Challenge any negative self-talk and replace it with affirming and empowering thoughts, write down three things you want to achieve each day at the top of your to do list, by focusing on three things, this lessens that feeling of overwhelm and increases the feeling of accomplishment. Another thing that really helped me was to surround yourself with supportive colleagues, mentors, and friends who uplift and inspire you, I cannot stress how important this is. You are your environment and surrounding yourself with those who are positive and motivated can really help lift you up
Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and focus on your strengths. By cultivating a positive mindset, you can overcome self-doubt and approach challenges with optimism.
Practice effective communication
Confidence is often closely linked to effective communication skills. By communicating in an effective way, you can enhance your ability to express ideas, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversations.
You can also practice assertiveness by articulating your thoughts and opinions while respecting others’ viewpoints. Remember to maintain a confident posture, make eye contact, and use a clear and assertive tone. As you become a more effective communicator, your confidence in both personal and professional interactions will soar.
Seek feedback and learn from it
I can see the cringe face from here! But hear me out, feedback is an incredibly powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
By proactively seeking feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and mentors, you can gain insights into your performance and areas of improvement, getting a mentor was one of the best things I ever did, it allowed me to go on and speak at conferences, encouraged me to speak up and helped me develop my HR career into what it is today.
A tip for you; embrace constructive criticism with an open mind and a willingness to learn and don’t see it as a personal attack on your abilities (this is how most people see it) it’s not about right and wrong, it’s about development and progression. Use feedback as an opportunity to refine your skills and enhance your confidence in your abilities.
Celebrate your achievements!
Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Whether it’s completing a challenging project, receiving positive feedback, or reaching a milestone, give yourself credit for your hard work. Recognizing your accomplishments not only boosts your self-esteem but also reinforces your confidence in your abilities.
Building confidence in the workplace is a journey that requires self-reflection, continuous growth, and perseverance. By embracing self-awareness, setting clear goals, building expertise, embracing failure, cultivating a positive mindset, practicing effective communication, seeking feedback, and celebrating accomplishments, you can unlock your full potential and become more confident at work. Remember, confidence is not a destination; it is a skill that grows with time and effort.
Trust and embrace the process, believe in yourself, and watch your professional life take off!
Natalie Ellis HR 