7 Ways to Be a Confidence Builder

Helping people stay energised and engaged is one of the key challenges for leaders. And every interaction we have with others whether, one to one or one to group, can erode or strengthen this.

Here are some of the actions and approaches, identified from that research, that help build confidence:

• Get results on the board. Success does build success. While talking optimistically and positively are important, achieving what you set out to achieve is a great confidence builder. That is why setting achievable goals and going for initial small wins are so helpful in creating positive momentum. And it is why measuring progress on goals helps to create that sense of success. The old thermometer for measuring charity fund raising initiatives illustrates how important it is to see clear progress.
• Be Clear. If the direction and priorities are clear, if communication is open, vagueness and confusion are banished. Lack of focus and lack of clarity lead to confusion, procrastination and lack of results. When people are clear about where they are going energy and effort can be clearly channelled.
• Be inclusive. Helping people be 'in' on what's happening builds trust and grows confidence. Confidence that they can be trusted with perhaps sensitive information and confidence because their opinion on issues is invited and welcomed.
• Be fair. When people are treated with consistency, when performance management issues are addressed fairly confidence grows. When they are ignored in the hope they go away confidence in the leader is eroded.
• Know your Stuff. You build confidence if you demonstrate technical 'know how'. Not being across your brief will undermine confidence fast.
• Accentuate the Positive. Be confident and positive yourself. Enthusiasm is contagious and attractive and your positive voice and body language draws others into an upward spiral. And when things go wrong, learn your lessons and move on, not ignoring problems but keeping a focus on the future and what you can change and influence. The past never gets any better, or worse, but some people linger there too long. Keep things moving forward.
• Say Thank You. A colleague once shared his simple rule for success in the world of work... Show up on time. Do what you say you will do. Say 'please' and 'thank you'. And for leaders this last piece is particularly important, easy to do... and somehow forgotten. When your team members feel respected and appreciated positive feelings are generated and they grow. When people are growing they are more likely to be enjoying what they do and giving more of their discretionary energy to their roles. Everyone benefits from this.