Have you ever pondered what makes some individuals excel effortlessly in their careers, while others seem to struggle despite having the same qualifications? The answer might be simpler than you think: self-confidence. Self-confidence is not just about “feeling good”; it’s a fundamental cornerstone for personal and professional growth. It’s about believing in your ability to accomplish tasks, solve problems, and face challenges head-on.

‘How to Increase Your Self-Confidence at Work’ was the tile of the latest Career Lab I delivered for our client the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Interestingly, it was one of the most popular and well-attended Career Labs this year so it is clearly a challenge that a lot of employees would like support with. So, my next few blog posts will focus on that topic.

Why is self-confidence critical, especially in the workspace? The reason is that when you have confidence in your abilities, you’re more likely to take risks, voice your ideas, and seize opportunities that come your way. Essentially, self-confidence empowers you to drive forward, both in your career and in life. Let’s look at what influences this important trait and how you can cultivate it.

Internal vs. External Factors

When we discuss self-confidence, it’s crucial to understand that it’s not an isolated quality that you either possess or lack. Instead, it’s shaped by a complex interplay of internal and external factors. What do I mean by this?

Internal Factors: These are the things that come from within you, like your mindset, thoughts, and beliefs. Think about the last time you had to give a presentation. Was your inner dialogue encouraging or did you mentally prepare a list of all the things that could go wrong? Your internal perspective sets the stage for your confidence level.

External Factors: Now, let’s talk about the factors outside your control – the feedback you receive, your work environment, or even how your family and friends perceive you. While you can’t control these aspects, you can control your reaction to them. For instance, constructive criticism can either be a blow to your self-esteem or a valuable lesson to grow from, depending on your perspective.

Recognising the balance between internal and external factors gives you the tools to control your confidence levels more effectively. The takeaway? Be mindful of your internal dialogue and how you react to external cues. You have more control over your self-confidence than you might think.

Self-Awareness, Self-Efficacy, and Growth Mindset

As you navigate the complex landscape of self-confidence, there are three pillars that can serve as your guides: Self-Awareness, Self-Efficacy, and Growth Mindset.

Self-Awareness: This is the art of knowing yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers. When you understand who you are, you can play to your strengths and work on your weaknesses, effectively boosting your self-confidence.

Self-Efficacy: Simply put, this is your belief in your capability to perform tasks and achieve goals. The more you believe you can do something, the more likely you are to achieve it. Sound simple? That’s because it is. Your belief in yourself can often be the determining factor in your success.

Growth Mindset: Remember when you encountered a problem you initially didn’t know how to solve? Did you see that as a dead-end or a learning opportunity? A growth mindset allows you to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats. This mindset isn’t just positive thinking; it’s an actionable approach to life and work that keeps you adaptive and resilient.

Ever heard the saying, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey?” Well, the journey towards self-confidence is filled with learning experiences, and adopting a growth mindset can make that journey not just educational but also empowering. If this is a subject of interest you might also like my blog posts on The Importance of Growth Mindset for Career Development and How to Adopt a Growth Mindset to Support Your Career Development.

Impostor Syndrome

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough for your job or role, despite having all the skills and qualifications, you’re not alone. This is commonly known as impostor syndrome. The bad news? It can be a significant barrier to self-confidence. The good news? Acknowledging it is the first step toward conquering it.

So, what should you do if you feel like an impostor? First, remember that everyone—even the most successful people—have felt this way at some point. Second, start to catalogue your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. This helps validate your skills and contributions, making it easier to internalise your worth.

You might also like to read my other blog posts on this subject – Impostor Syndrome: Are you letting it damage your career growth? and Silence the Impostor: How to end self-doubt and build confidence in yourself.

Self-confidence is not a mythical quality possessed by a fortunate few. It’s a skill that can be developed through self-awareness, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset. As we strive to be better in our careers and lives, let’s recognise the internal and external factors that shape our self-confidence and take pragmatic steps to cultivate this empowering trait.

By focusing on action and results rather than getting bogged down by theories and rhetoric, we can all become more self-confident individuals who not only enrich our lives but also make a positive impact on the people and organisations we’re a part of. After all, we’re all works in progress, aren’t we? And there’s nothing more exciting than that journey of continuous improvement.

If you wish to provide employees with a dynamic learning environment to build their career development skills, check out our Career Lab Series.