The 4 most reliable ways to build confidence at work

You want more confidence at work, but chances are you’re struggling to feel it. In fact, many people say that even if they’re achieving success, they still feel behind or doubt themselves.

Confidence is critical not only to accomplishing objectives, but also to your self-esteem. It’s even linked with greater salary, status, and job satisfaction. When you demonstrate confidence, people are more likely to collaborate with you, and you’re also more likely to have the kind of impact that contributes to your self-assurance.

But confidence is at a premium today. In fact, while 77% of people say they’re successful, 81% still feel they are behind others, according to a survey by Headway. On top of that, MyPerfectResume found that 66% feel pressure to act more confident than they are, 43% feel like imposters, and 58% say self-doubt has negatively affected their career advancement. 

On the other hand, when people feel more confident, it translates into measurable results. In a study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior, when people had higher levels of confidence and believed in their own capabilities, they experienced more promotions, higher salaries, and greater career satisfaction.

So how can you build your confidence? These are the best ways to raise your self-possession, self-assurance, and conviction.

KNOW YOURSELF AND KNOW YOUR STUFF

One of the first ways to build confidence is to increase your self-awareness. Take stock of what you do well and reinforce these skills for yourself. Perhaps you’re brilliant with big-picture thinking or you excel with details. Or you’re the person on the team who everyone comes to for advice. Reflect, consider, and focus on these strengths.

In addition, be clear with yourself about what you want to get better at and then take steps to enhance your capabilities. When you know your stuff, you can show up with strength and a strong point of view. Observe others who have credibility and emulate them. Look for classes where you can develop key skills. Join associations or committees where you can grow your capabilities. 

Confidence is a matter of both how you feel about yourself and the substance that you have to draw from, so you’re wise to build both your beliefs and your skills.

AVOID COMPARISONS

The classic saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” is accurate. The more you compare yourself with others, the more your well-being tends to deteriorate. This is partly because when you compare, you often come up short. Fully 74% of respondents in the MyPerfectResume survey said that comparison increases the pressure they face and drives self-doubt.

But even if you compare yourself with others and believe you’re ahead, your assessment can lead to a feeling of disconnection or alienation from others.

It’s better to compete with your own achievements, setting your next target and seeking to improve all the time. Pay attention to others so you can learn from them, but stop short of judging yourself in relation to others. We’ve each had unique journeys, so it can be unfair to you—and to them—if you use the same yardstick to assess success.  

EMBRACE DISCOMFORT

We tend to look for situations in which we feel comfortable and can avoid difficulty. But in reality, seeking challenges and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone are highly effective ways to build your confidence. Growth doesn’t happen without discomfort, and when you try something new, you learn—and you’ll raise your resilience. 

Every time you solve a new problem, you gain from the experience, and every time you encounter a new struggle and rely on yourself to respond constructively, you build your ability to cope the next time. When you try something new, you’re not guaranteed success, but you will certainly have the opportunity to learn from it. 

Of course, you don’t want to create problems for yourself, but you are wise to take the initiative to try something new, to offer your help on a project that stretches your current capabilities, or to volunteer for challenging activities that contribute to your team, your organization, or your community.

SEEK FEEDBACK

Another surefire way to build your confidence is to connect with a community of people you can rely on to support you and give you feedback. You’ll want people in your network who can provide safe haven support when you are struggling and just need a shoulder to lean on. 

But you’ll also want people in your network who will give you tough feedback about how you can get better. According to the MyPerfectResume data, 24% of people say that a lack of feedback contributes to their self-doubt. But when you seek assessments or critiques from others, you’ll build your confidence based on feeling seen and based on the opportunity to improve in areas that will help you most. 

Find the people who will be your advocates and build relationships with them by asking for their input and advice, and by offering support to them as well. 

A CAUTION

One caution: While you’re building your confidence, it’s also important that you avoid tipping into arrogance. People are most drawn to those who are firm in their points of view, but also who don’t have an inflated sense of their own importance. Others are put off by arrogance or self-absorption, so keep an appropriate level of humility. 

Building your confidence is worth the effort for tremendous payoffs in career satisfaction and success, and you can take small steps that add up over time. Know yourself, build your skills, and avoid comparison with others. In addition, embrace new opportunities for growth and find your people. All of these will help you accomplish greater self-assurance and quell self-doubt as you look to the rest of the year with optimism.