7 Steps to Build A More Confident You in the Workplace

Hands up who feels 100% confident, always, in every situation? I’m going to hazard a pretty safe guess that very few people would raise their hands. Even the most brazen will have moments of doubt, and for some of us, these moments are more like a constant stream of insecurities. And yet in the workplace, confidence is one of the best tools to help you progress in your career and provide you with high job satisfaction. It can be the difference between getting that promotion or being overlooked. You could literally be delivering the same quality of work in both scenarios, but in order to get that recognition, you often need to step out of your comfort zone and actively promote yourself.

Of course, no one is born confident, and thankfully this state of mind can be learnt. So to avoid bouts of imposter syndrome – the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills – Julia Ferrari shares these small steps to gradually build up your self-belief, at work and play.

1. Start small

It takes time to learn new habits, including behaving in a confident manner. It won’t happen overnight and that’s OK, so don’t be too hard on yourself or set impossible goals. Take small steps rather than charge full steam ahead into a complete life overhaul. At a corporate or networking event, set yourself a goal to speak to at least one stranger in the first 15 minutes. The longer you wait, the harder it will feel. Top tip: aim for people standing alone or in small groups, because trying to break into a big group mid-flow is definitely for the more seasoned networker. After completing that first challenge, if you’re not feeling it you can head home knowing you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone. But if you’re on a roll, stay on and set yourself the next goal.

2. Say yes!

‘Yes’ is such a positive and powerful tool: say yes to change, yes to opportunities, yes to learning something new, because I promise you’ll feel much better having tried it (even if you make mistakes) than thinking ‘what if’. If a manager is looking for a volunteer to take on a new project, piece of research or presentation, don’t procrastinate and let the opportunity pass you by, put yourself forward and take on the challenge if you believe it will increase your visibility with senior stakeholders. Regret will hold you back, whereas new experiences will make you grow, even if it is to figure out what doesn’t work for you.

3. Don’t overthink it

When stepping out of your comfort zone, procrastination can kill your drive. From speaking up in a team meeting to launching your own business, there is such a thing as too much time spent thinking rather than acting. Do your prep, yes, but when it comes to actually doing it, go for it! Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. A good benchmark is that if you feel you’re 80% ready, assess how long the remaining 20% will take you to achieve. If it’s not crucial to the big picture, don’t wait, go for it and make tweaks as you go along. Making mistakes along the way is part of the process, you can only learn and better yourself if you move forward.

4. Surround yourself with positive colleagues

There’s no greater way to boost self-acceptance than through encouraging words from your peers. An uplifting colleague or supportive manager can be all you need to give you the confidence to take the leap into your next adventure. And if someone repeatedly knocks you down or you come away from them feeling bleak and unworthy, it’s time to tackle their behaviour head on: professionally broach the topic over an informal coffee to explain why they make you feel that way, using clear examples, and agreeing how to avoid this going forward. This does take confidence, so if this direct approach feels too daunting alone, don’t hesitate to ask for help within your organisation, via your manager or HR.

5. Don’t compare yourself to colleagues

Comparing yourself to others can feel like diving into a black hole: there is no end to it, and it rarely boosts you. Looking up to an aspirational role model can be motivating if you use it to determine the path and steps to achieve this – not to be confused with jealousy which leads to nothing. Comparison is only useful if you learn from others’ successes, not to berate yourself. If you feel yourself being mentally dragged down by negative comparisons, write down all your professional achievements from the last 12 months, and keep adding to that list. This becomes your go-to mood-booster, as well as your starting point for any CV updating.

6. Learn, explore, experiment

This is probably the most important lesson. Confidence grows from new experiences, so get out there and explore. Learn a new skill outside of work, be it a sport, language or cooking. If you don’t progress or don’t enjoy it, move on to something else. Find something you’re good at and enjoy, and feel that new-found confidence flow into your work life. These new experiences can provide you with something to share with others and therefore with more confidence in speaking up at work.

7. Fake it ’til you make it

Finally, even if you don’t feel strong and confident, no one else needs to know. On days when you need an artificial boost, use your physical appearance as a disguise: stand tall, project your voice, and wear a bright colour or attention-seeking outfit (but not in an inappropriate way). The more you use these tools, the less often you’ll rely on them.

Can you do this? Do you have the right knowledge? The right background? Will anyone care what you have to say? The answer to those questions is yes. You may not be fully accepting of who you are yet, but you have the ability to do so by building up your confidence.

Written by Julia Ferrari | @freshbeautyfix