The element of competition between us and our colleagues, the perceived power our boss has over us and our own ability to impose self-doubt at every turn all add up to leave our working lives teetering on the edge of confidence-meltdown just about every day!
Yet being able to have great self-confidence at work can be the one thing that marks us out from the rest of the herd. Employers state that they would rather employ someone who is confident and has good self-belief over a less confident but better qualified person, as they feel that a confident person will serve the company better in the long run.
With that in mind, here are 5 tips that will help you become the person your boss wouldn't want to lose:
1. Be The 'Positive Person' In Your Workplace. There's always one person who has the reputation for being upbeat and positive, no matter what challenges or setbacks present themselves. Develop the attitude of being a problem solver, worrying away at a particular thing until a solution is found. You don't need to come up with the answer yourself but by being the one who has a 'can do' attitude and gathering other people's opinions and input, will place you in a position of leadership in your bosses' mind. Be generous with your praise of other peoples' input and give credit where it is due and you will be as popular with your workmates as with your superiors!
2. Communicate Well & Clearly. If you are feeling a little low and your confidence is lacking, your natural inclination will be to withdraw from what is going on around you and keep your head down until you feel better. Unfortunately, this is a strong signal that tells others that you lack confidence in yourself and once you have that reputation, it will be doubly hard to lose it.
Keep the channels of communication open with your workmates by showing interest in what they are doing, problems you might be able to help with. Share some personal information with them maybe and generally work to build relationships and trust. Ask work-related questions and be curious about new areas you'd like to learn more about.
3. Choose a Business Idol & Model Yourself On Them. Look for someone you admire for their business achievements and make them your role model. This may be someone in the place that you work or a more public figure. Spend some time studying what it is about them that makes them successful and identify the elements you would like to have as part of your character too.
Use the methods and characteristics that you admire to give you inspiration in the way you develop your business persona - just stop short of becoming their stalker!
4. Don't Be Constantly Apologetic. Some people start any conversation or request with an apology and consequently give the impression that they see themselves as a burden placed upon those they work with! Apologizing for your existence indicates poor self-confidence and the habit very quickly becomes an annoying one. If it is appropriate, apologize once and then no more.
5. Remain Objective, Relaxed & Understanding of Others' Pressures. Are you easily wounded by the actions and words of your boss and co-workers? Pressure of work affects everyone around you and often they aren't very good at handling it appropriately. Harsh words can be spoken and blame can be fired in all directions as they seek to deflect it from themselves. If your work is solid and your attitude good, then accept that you are undeserving of the flack that you may face. Put yourself in your colleague's - or boss's - shoes and try and see things from their point of view. Remain calm and don't inflame the situation, just make it clear that harsh words or finger-pointing won't resolve the situation. You can then take the opportunity to put Tip #1 into action and be the one who begins to take control and seek a solution to the problem.
If you can incorporate these five tips into your working life, you will soon discover that becoming more confident at work will bring benefits far beyond those expected.
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