Confidence is certainly a key ingredient in achieving success as a leader. Those who aspire to be successful leaders should start working on their confidence levels.
Personal observation
As I used to play squash competitively in my teens, I felt excited when I had the opportunity to attend a recent junior squash competition as a spectator. I was eager to see youngsters and budding talents compete and push themselves to excel in this sport.
I young player caught my eye. It was how he carried himself- he had the right amount of confidence without appearing arrogant. He seemed prepared, both physically and mentally. His strokes were solid and he was hitting the ball well during warm up.
“Just go out there and have fun. Don’t worry about the results. Just have fun and enjoy yourself!” I overheard the player’s coach said to him before he returned to the court to start Game #1.
It was a nail-biting match and he lost 2-3 to his opponent. From my observation, his opponent wasn’t as good as him but he lost the match as he made more unforced errors.
He was visibly disappointed when the match ended.
“It’s ok. You did well! I’m sure you’ve learned something new from that match.” His coach tried to console him.
“I think I was over-confident and played too aggressively. As a result, I made many unforced errors. I will just have to train harder and practice more especially my volley drops.” He said confidently to his coach.
I was impressed by this youngster. While many youngsters today seem to give up way too easily or look for the easy way out, he was clearly confident of himself and determined to improve his squash game.
He certainly has a bright future ahead of him- not just as a squash player, but as whatever he wants to be!
Confidence in leadership roles
In today's VUCA world, leaders need significant confidence to showcase their strengths, be decisive when making key decisions, and effective in managing their people and whatever challenges or situations that might come their way.
Confidence is certainly a key ingredient in achieving success as a leader. Those who aspire to be successful leaders should start working on their confidence levels, which is the fuel that drives determination (just like the young squash player).
Why confidence is important in leadership roles?
A leader leads a team of people and serves as their role model. Essentially, a leader embraces many responsibilities- setting organisational culture, achieving business and financial performance, developing and motivating people, etc.
Personally, leaders need to focus on the team first. They need to help the team work together effectively in turbulent times when the team spirit and morale is low. Also, leaders need to establish a strong bond with their team and know their strengths, weaknesses, aspirations and goals, so that they can inspire and support them whenever the need arises. When leaders successfully achieve this, the team will in turn help the leaders achieve the desired business and financial performance.
Leaders also need to be role models to their team. Besides experience, knowledge and expertise, leaders must be confident in order to be effective role models. Leaders might be experts in their respective fields, but without confidence, they wouldn't be able to showcase their skills and abilities that shape their expertise. This will result in the leaders’ inability to be in charge of their team, especially when they need support and guidance.
Leaders who are confident are able to create a strong bond with their teams, leading by example and proving they know what they are doing. As a result, the team will inevitably trust their leader, respect them and look up to them. This insightful inspiration helps both the leader and the team grow together and keep moving forward in business.
Tips to nurture confidence
Tip #1- Being open to all feedback
Two-way feedback is a useful way for leaders and the team to create awareness and gain clarity on any areas of development and growth. Leaders in particular need to be confident and accept all forms of feedback for their future development and professional growth.
Tip #2- Ensure words and actions are aligned
Confident leaders never go against their words. They know what they've said in terms of goals, instructions, promises, plans and vision matter. Leaders will diminish their own position and respect from the team when their actions are not aligned with their words.
Tip #3- Being adaptable and flexible
Change is not only constant but also rapid. When faced with uncertainty, confident leaders need to be flexible and adaptable to change. Also, this serves as an opportunity for the team to role modelling the leaders.
Tip #4- Use both the good and the bad examples
Leaders sometimes make mistakes in the course of their work. It is key to be open and honest in front of the team. They’ll definitely appreciate it as it is a clear sign of the leader’s maturity and confidence. Successes and accomplishments should be used as examples to motivate the team. Mistakes, on the other hand, should be used as guidance so that the team is able to rise and moving on when faced with challenges.
Self-confidence requires work
Although leaders face constant challenges and work stress on a daily basis, they need to consciously put in continuous effort to nurture and maintain confidence. Otherwise the challenges and work stress facing the leaders will slowly and silently stretch the leaders to eventually lose their self-esteem, and result in dire consequences.
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