It is that time of year again – when everyone looks back and takes stock in the trials and triumphs of the past 12 months. With the crazy year of 2020, we decided to go back to our blog post from the end of December 2019.
In that post, we focused on confidence. More specifically, how and why you and your organization should make confidence your competitive advantage for 2020. A few months after publishing, the world was headlong into the global #Covid19 Pandemic. In the paralyzing vacuum of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown, confidence, for the most part, vanished.
Confidence vs. Inflated Ego
Now, as we close out what should have been the “Year of Confidence,” we are doubling down on our position that confidence should be your competitive advantage.
Not the fake it ‘till you make it bravado that newbies and first-time entrepreneurs infamously espouse, but real confidence.
You know, the confidence that comes from being in the game. From being battle-tested. Being bruised and broken. Being shaken-up and shaken-down. From finding one's character when looking into the abyss and seeing nothing staring back. From struggling to summon the courage to get back into the ring after you know how hard the punches are. From losing it all and still finding the nerve to start over. From being disciplined to know when to stand there and take it, when to cut and run, and when to push back with an equal and opposite force.
That’s the type of confidence forged from pure grit when you live it, work and solve for it. What’s the “it?” It’s whatever challenge you are facing. Whatever hardship your team is struggling to overcome. Whatever problem your organization needs to solve.
Striking the right balance of confidence
The reason we are not walking back our position from the end of last year is because we know the positive impact that the proper balance and healthy level of confidence can make within an organization and for an individual.
When grounded in experience, expertise and knowledge gained from failure, it can give you just the right amount of swagger, humility and empathy. And, that’s a winning combination that others want to work with and enjoy being around.
But confidence isn’t as easy as it sounds. Show too much, and you become an instant asshole. Show too little and you risk appearing like you don’t believe in yourself.
Benefits of a healthy self-esteem
According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy self-esteem means you feel secure and worthwhile. You have generally positive relationships with others and feel confident about your abilities. You're also open to learning and feedback, which can help you acquire and master new skills.
With healthy self-esteem you're:
// Assertive in expressing your needs and opinions
// Confident in your ability to make decisions
// Able to form secure and honest relationships — and less likely to stay in unhealthy ones
// Realistic in your expectations and less likely to be overcritical of yourself and others
// More resilient and better able to weather stress and setbacks
Self-esteem affects virtually every facet of your life. Maintaining a healthy, realistic view of yourself isn't about blowing your own horn. It's about learning to like and respect yourself — faults and all.
More importantly, healthy levels of confidence in yourself and your team can result in the following positive attributes*:
// Less fear and anxiety
// Greater motivation
// More resilience
// Improved relationships
// A stronger sense of your authentic self.
Confidence in self is a positive expectation
In fact, the other night, the annual broadcast of the movie “The Sound of Music” offered a clear and positive omen of the power confidence wields. There’s even a song dedicated to just that. “Confidence.”
With 2021 just about here, it’s time to shake off your insecurities, your fear of the unknown and all the uncertainties of 2020.
We’d love to know how you and your team are developing and deploying a healthy dose of confidence as your competitive advantage. And, if you need help charting that course, feel free to reach out and connect. Always happy to talk with you about how to get started.
*Sources: