Confidence Redefined: Transforming Leaders, Transforming Impact
"Leaders walk a fine line between self-confidence and humility."
— Stanley McChrystal, General, US Army (retired)
Confidence is vital in leadership because it improves influence and inspiration. It enables leaders to make decisions and take calculated risks with conviction. Yet, not all confidence is the same.
Insecure confidence is the weakest (but much too common).
Leaders with insecure confidence may outwardly project an air of assurance. But internally, they are often fragile and easily shaken. Their confidence leans on external validation of achievements to maintain a sense of self-worth.
Some leaders with insecure confidence display excessive confidence, assertiveness, or even arrogance as a defense mechanism.
They present this overconfidence as a shield to protect themselves from feelings of inferiority. They often feel vulnerable to being exposed or judged. This leads to defensive behaviors and a constant need to prove oneself.
Outcomes of insecure confidence in leaders are a lack of trust from others, inconsistent decision making, and reduced employee engagement.
Genuine confidence, on the other hand, stems from self-awareness and acceptance.
It is grounded in authenticity and humility. It fosters trust, enables resilient decision making, and serves as a role model for others. Leaders with genuine confidence are typically able to gain the support of others and achieve significant organizational goals.
Transformative confidence is a deeper sense of self-assuredness, coupled with wiser perspective, that empowers leaders to challenge the status quo to pursue high-impact achievements.
Leaders with transformative confidence envision a compelling future that serves a greater good. They are then able to navigate change resiliently and make a lasting influence on a larger scale. This is the most impactful form of confidence.
This type of confidence results from personal growth, challenges overcome, or experiences that generate a profound change in beliefs and capabilities.
I think of these types of confidence as a hierarchy, with Transformative Confidence at the top.
Here are just a few current examples of leaders whose transformative confidence shows:
• Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix, whose fearless innovation has revolutionized industries by introducing subscription-based streaming services and original content. Netflix reshaped how people consume entertainment.
• Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education, demonstrates visionary leadership by advocating for girls' education, despite surviving an attack by the Taliban. Her work has inspired progress in promoting education worldwide.
• Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, shows resilient change management in steering the company through major strategic and cultural change as it moved from desktop products towards cloud computing and AI.
• Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist, galvanized younger generations to engage in climate change activism and demand accountability from leaders. Her large-scale influence has helped compel world leaders, policymakers, and citizens to confront this pressing issue.
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In the privacy of your heart, where do you fall on the hierarchy of confidence?
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Here are my top suggestions from moving from insecure confidence to genuine confidence:
1. Self-Acceptance and Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-acceptance by recognizing and embracing both strengths and weaknesses. Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding during moments of self-doubt. This shift in mindset allows you to build a foundation of genuine confidence based on more accurate assessment and acceptance of yourself.
2. Reflect and Reframe: Engage in regular self-reflection to understand the root causes of insecurities and self-doubt. Identify any patterns or triggers that contribute to feelings of inadequacy. Reframe negative self-talk and challenge limiting beliefs by replacing them with more positive and empowering thoughts.
3. Skill Development and Mastery: Focus on building your skills in areas that align with your interests and values. Set clear goals and dedicate time and effort to acquire expertise in those areas. As you gain competence and mastery, your confidence will naturally grow.
Moving from genuine confidence to transformative confidence is aided by these additional strategies:
1. Embrace Discomfort and Take Calculated Risks: Step out of your comfort zone and embrace challenges that push your boundaries. Engaging in new experiences and taking calculated risks fosters personal growth and expands your capabilities, comfort, and perspective.
2. Maintain a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges as learning opportunities and view failure as a stepping-stone to success. Emphasize continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience to strengthen confidence in your capacity for growth and change.
3. Pursue Meaning and Purpose: Identify a meaningful purpose that aligns with your core values and inspires you. Cultivate a clear vision of the impact you want to make and pursue it with unwavering dedication. Having a deep sense of purpose fuels transformative confidence, propelling you to overcome obstacles, push boundaries, and make a lasting difference in your chosen domain.
As you ascend this hierarchy, your impact can improve exponentially.
But you really can’t fake it ‘til you make it!
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And that’s The Gist of It™ - a quick read with an actionable tip to increase your leadership success.
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Marilyn Gist, PhD