Three Steps To Greater Confidence

Everyone seems to know it, the minute someone walks into the room with the aura of confidence, it’s unmistakable.  But how do you learn to exude this leadership trait without coming across arrogantly or superficial?  Here are three simple steps.

1. Begin leading through your strengths.  Realize what and who you are, and then build upon it like a master architect.  No matter what it is, if you see it as a strength, others will as well.  They’ll feel your confidence, and be able to rest in your assurance.  Trust me, I’m telling you now, they’ll begin following  you.  Have you ever been around someone who when making a decision you weren’t sure about, but because they were so convincing, you got behind them, trusting their intuition.  This is exactly what I’m talking about.  Let me give you an example.  My son is tall, very tall.  In fact, he’s 6′7″ and he sees it as a strength.  Because he does, others follow suit.  His self assured nature didn’t inhibit him from entering in, or being approachable.  Conversely, I’ve been around tall people and I could tell they considered it a hindrance, a liability, and you sensed they were insecure.  Therefore, for them, it was a liability.  Why, because they projected an unassuredness about them.  This leads me to the second step.
2. Make a line down the middle of a page of paper and on the left side write down your behavioral style characteristics, skills, and experiences.   Now on the right side I want you to write out how those qualities and experiences can be (here’s the key), and are, positive in light of the position you’re in.  Really, take the time to work on this project.  Remember, a negative behavioral quality is many times only a positive attribute taken to the extreme.  For instance, if you’re considered lazy.  Laziness is at times a lack of focus or knowing what to do next so the person does nothing.  The more confused a person may become, the more others may label him/her as being lazy, when in all actuality they are unsure of themselves or don’t know what’s expected of them.  The key to this step is to work on transforming what would normally be negative, into seeing it as a positive. Get help from those closest to you if you become stuck.
3. Now, read this list every day for 30 days.  Why do I say 30 days, because it is a well know principle that a habit is formed or broken in 28 to 30 days.  Meditate on how you can use your personality, skills and past experiences to propel your leadership influence, by becoming convinced yourself that you have it in you to be the best leader you can be.   And, you’ll find the more you read this list, the more you’ll begin to believe it.  The more you believe it, the more confidence and trust others will attribute to you.

It may have been an accident that landed you in this position, don’t let it be lack of confidence that takes you out.  Be intentional and you will grow into your leadership role!