Module 14 : Confidence Building Module

How to improve your confidence at work

How you can benefit from improved confidence
What to expect when your confidence improves
Signs of lack of self-confidence

'Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent',

Eleanor Roosevelt

Self-confidence is the belief that we have in our abilities and in ourselves. The levels of self-
confidence that we experience can vary according to the situation. This is why we sometimes find
ourselves lacking in confidence at certain moments and enjoying higher confidence during others.

Confidence plays a crucial part in the level of success that you can expect to achieve in the
workplace.

You will learn

How to improve your confidence at work

How you can benefit from improved confidence

What to expect when your confidence improves

Signs of lack of self-confidence

14.1 Introduction
 Each one of us experiences different levels of confidence that are
influenced by many factors - peers, society, parents and childhood experiences to name a
few.

For those who were fortunate, positive childhood influences and experiences play a critical part in
building self-confidence. Negative experiences, on the other hand, can diminish our confidence
levels.

Lack of self-confidence can make its presence felt in the form of shyness, lack of assertiveness and
inability to communicate clearly. All these debilitating effects can come in the way of success at the
workplace. Lack of confidence may prevent you from communicating effectively with both customers
and colleagues. Your innate talents may remain unnoticed because you are probably too shy.

Self-confidence is an empowering tool that can help you make the most of your abilities, your
experiences and your life. You experience freedom from self-doubt and improve chances of success
at every level of your career. Confidence at the workplace can be defined as awareness of the value
that you bring to the workplace and being able to convey this to others in the organisation.
It is worthwhile noting that confidence is not to be confused with overconfidence and arrogance.

14.2 The importance of self-confidence at the workplace

Confidence at the workplace helps you work according to your set of

values and helps you practice your work ethics without attendant feelings of guilt.
Improved self-confidence helps you perform in situations that are out of your comfort zone. You will
find yourself facing complex and stressful situations with poise and grace. Lack of self-confidence
may leave us feeling nervous and apprehensive of new challenges.

Confidence gives you the impetus to push your limits and learn new skills. As you become aware of
your abilities to perform and learn, you are able to expand your repertoire of skills.

Leadership almost always flows to the person who is confident and is able to communicate
assertively. Self-confidence is likely to help you attain positions of responsibility and achieve career
advancement.

FACT

According to a survey by Indeed, 94% of employees believe confidence is a major contributor to

overall career growth

Source: Indeed.com

14.3 Powerful Ways to build your Self-Confidence

We all have self-confidence issues; some of us may lose confidence

as we get older, but some of us become more confident individuals.

You can do a lot by evaluating your inner circle. It may sound harsh, but do you really need negative
people in your life? Anybody who puts you down or destroys your confidence is not a good
friend/colleague or worth investing your trust in.

Dealing with negativity in the workplace is intrinsically related to developing your own self-
confidence. Avoid the company of co-workers who take pleasure in doubting your abilities or putting
you down. Do not confuse them with someone who is trying to help you out genuinely. Just smile and
remain detached from their opinion about you. Continue on with your work and avoid being in their
company; opt to be around positive, empowering and helpful people instead.

This does not apply only to colleagues; you can also experience nasty superiors whose harsh
behaviour may erode your own confidence in the workplace. The colleague or boss (or you for that
matter) may quit the job, but the damage will linger on in our psyche. The trick is to keep your inner
self, your inner feelings protected and immune to external negativity.
Improving self-confidence involves two major phases: Purging yourself out of uncertainty and self-
doubt and building self-confidence.

As simple as it sounds, look good and feel great!

The way you carry yourself is often indicative of self-confidence levels. Focus on your posture and
you will notice that the confident people hold themselves up, smile, make eye contact and speak
slowly and clearly. Being around confident people will help you gain confidence too!

Whenever you speak to people, make eye contact. Follow this simple but effective tip for
communications both within and outside the workplace.

Here are some tips to maintain eye contact with your listeners:

1. If you are talking to a group, make eye contact with every person in the group. If you
maintain eye contact with only one person, the others will stop listening.

2. Maintain eye contact for about five seconds and then look away (and not down).
Excessive eye contact may come across as intimidating.

3. If you face a situation whereby you may need to challenge the opinions of others (or if
the tone of the meeting is confrontational), maintaining eye contact indicates confidence.

Confident communication is very important at work, during meetings as well as during interviews.

Activity 1 - Self-Confidence Boosting Exercises

Estimated time: 10-15 minutes

This module discusses the vital importance of self-confidence and the many different influencing
factors that can determine how we perceive ourselves.

To ensure that you are keeping your confidence up and are ready for a career as a personal
assistant, take some time to practise a few confidence boosting exercises. What are some ways that
you can boost your own self-confidence? Choose a couple to try and record your results.

14.4 Understand the Origin

 Self-doubt usually begins as a baby, when we grow up we look at
adults and think we have to be like them.
This focus is not a problem, placing role models in high regard is complex but not a negative. When
we begin to compare ourselves to people in a position of power, we imagine a comparative sense of
self with our ego ideal. This constant comparison can lead to distorted self-perception of our abilities
and self-worth. Nobody can live up to unrealistic expectations, so many of us are plagued with
doubts. Developing self-confidence revolves around changing your perception of yourself. You
gradually begin to stop basing your opinion of yourself based on other people's opinions.

14.5 Acceptance

Acceptance therapy is another method that can be used from an

early age.

As an adult, you can use it by admitting to yourself that there may be a problem with your
confidence. This frank acceptance can help reduce the stress levels. Most of us may not readily
admit that we need help with improving our self-confidence.

Remind yourself of why you are in your position, the hard work and obstacles you have overcome to
get here and that you have the requisite ability to do your job well. You would not have been chosen
for the role if you were not skilled enough to perform it. List all of your valuable skills, but do not
give yourself false self-praise.
Take on challenges that will suit your skill set of personal qualities. You should learn but we also
encourage you to capitalise on your natural talents.

Adopt behaviour and emotions that reflect who you really are. This will boost your self-confidence at
work. Try and work with people who share your aims and beliefs and your confidence will grow
together, as will your trust in each other.
14.6 Don't be Intimidated by Challenge

If you get too used to doing the same thing over and over, new ground can become
intimidating.
Especially as you get older!
Age should never set you back from trying new things at work and do not get caught up in
'traditions'.

Spread your wings of confidence and opt to go for new training programmes that help reinforce your
skills, whenever they become available.

Fishing for compliments is seen as insecure and needy behaviour - which will only make your
confidence issues worse. Accept compliments when they are given just as you should with
constructive criticism. By all means ask for opinions, but avoid being overly obsessed with
compliments. People who are always seeking the approval of others are perceived as lacking in self-
confidence.
Confidence is a great tool but arrogance is not.

An arrogant person disregards the feelings of others while a confident person allows people to
express themselves. A truly confident person will let their actions do the talking, so tread carefully
and be careful not to tread the fine line between self-confidence and arrogance as you ascend the
career ladder.

Confidence is a way of life. We will all have times of doubt when we are least expecting it. But we
can learn how to make these moments less frequent and keep us from feeling down. Be aware that
you have helped your boss in many ways. Self appreciation is a good thing and give yourself due
credit. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back when you do a good job.

Avoid bragging at work, but make sure you receive credible mentions at meetings or conventions for
your ideas. Avoid allowing third parties to take away credit for your hard work, but understand the
rules of team work. This will help you develop self-confidence while learning to work with people.

If you feel like you are lacking in certain areas, then there is only one way to improve: Ask for help
and enquire if the senior management can recommend some high quality training courses to further
your knowledge and training.

You may also choose to work on these training courses from home. Increasing your skills and
improving competence levels go a long way in fortifying confidence levels. Make sure that you get an
opportunity to learn the relevant office technology and try to stay on top of the latest administrative
techniques. Knowledge and training raise our competence levels and this is a great way to gain self-
confidence.

14.7 Benefits of Team Building Exercises

 We always stress how important communication is at work and team
building exercises can help break down barriers.

Some people may not like working as a team or trust others, but by working together to solve tasks
you can bond with each other at the same time. This will help set up a new dynamic and expose any
weaknesses that need to be improved within the group.

Team building can help build friendships with colleagues with whom you may not always see eye to
eye. Having a chance to bond away from work can help you both achieve a level of mutual respect
instead of resentment. A team needs to be able to respond collectively to rapid changes in the work
place.

14.8 Self-confidence in and outside of work

A confident mind means less stress.

Less stress means a healthier you and a more able body and mind. Stress leads to murky thinking
and could force you to quit your job or make irrational decisions. Improving your confidence will
help you lead a life of fulfilment.

Positive contributions generate return.

When you prove that you are happy to go the extra mile, your boss will be happy to trust you with
added responsibilities. You will thus enjoy improved prospects of being considered for positions of
leadership and importance.

Activity 2 - Working on Acceptance Therapy

Estimated time: 10-15 minutes

If you practised some of the confidence boosting exercises that the module suggested, then you
should be well on your way to feeling more confident and secure in your professional abilities.
You may realise that there are some areas in your life where you lack confidence, even if you are
very secure in others. In this activity, you should identify the areas in your life that you lack
confidence. Once you do, work on the acceptance therapy methods you learned in the module. Make
a note of your experiences.

14.9 Tips to Improve Confidence at Work

Our confidence levels wax and wane depending on the way we react to criticism and the
manner in which we choose to navigate the learning curve.

Here are some useful tips to direct your thoughts in the right direction.

1. Change your viewpoint and stop obsessing about the impact that co-workers and bosses have
on you. You have to realise the fact that it's only your thoughts and actions that matter. Once
you appreciate the empowering effect that you can have on others, you will gain confidence.

2. Voice out your intentions aloud. Telling people about the tasks that you intend to complete will
help you gain confidence because you are holding yourself accountable.

3. Avoid thinking and speaking negatively about your workplace. Thinking of yourself as
'exploited' will act as a mental brake to progress and success. Negative thinking is a drain on
mental energy and saps motivation to do better. Change your perception and view your job as
a stepping stone to career progression. Think well of your workplace and the job that you do.

4. When you face criticism, dismiss the anger, resentment and irritation and focus on the
growing experience instead. Instead of internalising the negative opinions, examine the
situation and see where you can improve in an impersonal manner.

5. Take pride in your new personality. Stop looking for excuses and stop erecting communication
barriers. When our confidence levels are low, we tend to subconsciously put up fences with
others thus triggering a self-perpetuating cycle. Ensure that your colleagues (as well as
bosses) notice the new you.

6. Avoid negative self-talk. Individuals who suffer from low self-confidence tend to indulge in
negative self-chatter which has an extremely undermining effect on confidence. Talk to
yourself in a positive way. When you talk to others, there is no need to talk yourself down in a
deprecating manner. Conversely, there is no need to talk yourself up either. Self-
aggrandisement is also a sign of mental insecurity. Confident people make out a plan and stick
to it diligently and silently.

7. Spend time learning and practising more of your knowledge. Acting on what you know helps
boost confidence levels. Watch seminars and listen to company talks and learn about the
products and services.

8. Ignore personal attacks and unwarranted criticism by replacing it with something positive
about yourself. When we face personal attacks, it tends to bring us down and leads to a waste
of mental energy. Bounce the criticism by thinking of something good about yourself.
 9. Smile and walk with your head held high. Shuffling along with your head bent and muttering
greetings indicates low confidence levels. Make eye contact with your co-workers, give a smile
and a friendly greeting. This friendly and communicative attitude will help increase your own
energy levels. There is also a second benefit: You will gradually become known to people and
get to know people yourself. Nameless departments transform into real people and names will
turn into friendly faces.

10. Avoid the company of negative, pessimistic and reserved people. Such personalities often
nurse deep insecurities and grudges. Opt to stay around positive, proactive, cheerful and
helpful people. This will help you gain confidence and you will begin to enjoy your job better.

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Assignment

Confidence Building

Time: 30+ minutes

Hopefully, you took in as much of the information in this 14th module as possible. To find out how
well you have done, complete the following worksheet.

Download the worksheet below print out and complete.

Download Worksheet (PDF)

Download Worksheet (Word)

Module summary

You have learned the importance of growing your self-confidence. Self-confidence is the ability to
believe in yourself regardless of external situations. You can use your self-confidence to grow
professionally as well as personally.
Lack of self-confidence can prevent you from attaining visibility at the workplace. You may not get
the chances that you deserve to display your talents and skills. Shyness and timidity will prevent you
from communicating effectively with clients. By developing self-confidence, you improve your
chances of career success and conduct yourself with poise in stressful situations.

Confident individuals are more likely to be considered for positions of leadership and responsibility.

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