People who exude confidence often gravitate to leadership positions and being a leader means you have to display strength, trustworthiness and grace to be able to handle situations around you.
Having confidence is a vital trait that will help you navigate your way to your goals quicker!
If you’ve ever wondered how you can cultivate confidence to be able to lead in such a pivotal decade, here are a few tips:
1. Say It As You Mean It
One of the primary ways we discredit ourselves is to use vocabulary – like weak and ineffective words – that water down what we say. For instance, by adding an inflection at the end, some individuals turn statements into questions. Phrases such as “kind of,” “probably,” and “like” also dilute your message’s importance and make you seem unsure.
2. Look the Part
Your wardrobe either enhances or detracts from your image. Your choice of clothing, either way, makes an instant impact on others. A negative message can be sent by ill-fitting, worn out or unflattering clothing, while a tailored and polished look says that you care about important information.
3. Speak Thoughtfully
Be careful about the words that make it down the path from your brain to your mouth. There’s a time to speak up and a time to stay silent. Resist the urge to always have the last word or get credit for being right. If you’re questioning in your mind whether you should say something or not, you probably shouldn’t. If you are frustrated or angry, take a step back to think about how you want your message to come across.
4. Know Your Way Around Social Situations
Make sure you are well versed in basic etiquette for a variety of social situations. Knowing which is your bread plate and wine glass at a dining table goes a long way toward being comfortable and able to focus on your business companions. Practice the art of conversation so you can chat with others you don’t know well. Stay up to date on current trends, sports, the latest movies, TV shows, or other interesting topics. Do your best to avoid controversial subjects.
5. Display Body Language Confidence
The way we carry ourselves not only influences how others perceive us but affects how we feel about ourselves. Making eye contact, maintaining good posture and giving a sincere smile are some of the ways we present the best version of ourselves to others. Bad habits such as fidgeting, slouching or crossing your arms tell others you are nervous, apathetic or defensive, all undermining your efforts to reflect self-assurance.
6. Do Your Homework
There’s no substitute for being prepared when it comes to confidence. Put in the requisite amount of work so that you can go to every meeting, presentation or life event with the confidence that you are ready to deliver. For instance, if you give a speech, never try to “wing it.” Give yourself the advantage of preparation, and you are far more likely to be poised when you step up to the microphone.
7. Challenge Yourself
True confidence is forged in the heat of taking on new challenges. Make a concerted effort in both your professional and personal life to try new things, meet new people and try new experiences. A fear of failure does not derail people who are confident. They know that the true definition of failure is missing an opportunity to work towards their goals.
