Leaders Lead With Well-Earned Confidence

If we’ve done a good job of investing in our self and our leadership brand, we’ve earned the ability to be confident.  If we care about our people, our partners, our clients, our business, and our self, then we are right to be confident in what we bring.  And it's essential to lean on that well-earned confidence.

In fact, confidence is a crucial component that impacts how effective we are as a leader.  Human beings are highly perceptive.  We are tuned to recognize confidence in those we interact with, and we will naturally be more confident in leaders who exhibit confidence in themselves and their ability to lead.  As a result, leaders are more effective when they demonstrate their well-earned confidence.  

The term “well-earned” is critical here.  It highlights the fundamental truth that legitimate confidence is not assumed; it is acquired.  We must demonstrate confidence in our talents; however, take care and don't confuse confidence with over-confidence.  We’ve all met our share of wildly confident leaders who haven’t earned the right to be all that confident.  The less-than-competent and more-than-confident ones who have the ability to drive the cart off the path before we have the chance to steer them clear of mayhem.   

Confidence is particularly powerful when it’s balanced with a good measure of humility.A balanced approach that offers an equal measure of confidence and humility serves us best. And when you’ve earned it, lean on your confidence and utilize it as a strength.