Self-confidence is key to your success as a female leader. Societal norms dictate that women should act and appear a certain way, and that is especially true of female entrepreneurs. Whether that is how you speak, what you talk about, or simply your appearance as you say it, female business leaders are always under the microscope of society that looks to do away with their input and keep them toeing the company line. With that in mind, here are a few ways that women can help cultivate confidence in the workplace and help them bridge the gap that exists between them and other great leaders.
Self-acceptance
The first step in gaining self-confidence is self-acceptance. You can’t move forward in business if you are unable to accept yourself for who you are. Imposter syndrome is a common experience in which one doubts their accomplishments, and is feeling like you deceived everyone into thinking you’re an expert. Being afraid of being exposed as an expert in your field is a common theme amongst women. You must first recognize the abilities you are able to bring to the table and realize that is what got you to this point. Accepting yourself for who you are can lead to better mental health and improved self-esteem.
Cultivate Positive Relationships
Improved self-esteem leads to our next point: Building positive relationships. As you gain confidence, it becomes easier to build positive. This leads to attracting co-workers and employees who hold the same values as you do and helping to foster a positive workspace. As well as helping you in your own workplace, it will also help you foster positive business relationships. This can open up new doors for your company and yourself.
Become Assertive
Getting clear about what really matters is a necessary conversation for employers to have in the workplace. By being honest with yourself, you can harness your inner power to unlock new and bigger opportunities. As your confidence grows, you’ll find it easier to stand up for your beliefs and take control of your life, and pursue your goals with determination and passion.
Utilize Positive Affirmations
Fake it ‘til you make it is a common strategy in business. By encouraging yourself to keep going, you can raise your level of confidence and can cause others to see you in a positive light.
“Positive affirmations can help boost confidence since they can help people focus on their positive qualities, rather than focusing on their negative qualities,” says Joy Rains, mindfulness trainer and author of Meditation Illuminated: Simple Ways to Manage Your Busy Mind. “Everyone has their good and not so good points, and many habitually focus on their negative qualities. “By making a conscious effort to focus on and reinforce your good qualities, you can become much more confident. There’s an old saying, change your story, change your life. In the case of affirmations, it is certainly true. Your reality is actually shaped by your thoughts. By changing your beliefs, you can change your reality.”
Stay Resilient
Business, just like life, can be full of ups and downs. It is important you learn to not sweat the small stuff and allow your successes to drive you to greater heights. It’s important that you are able to learn from your failures, adapt to changing needs, and grow both as person and a businesswoman. Your perseverance will pay off in more than just dollars and cents. Persevering in relationships also represents a greater good to those on the receiving end. As you can see, there are a myriad of ways to ensure you, as a woman, develop the confidence needed to succeed in business and allow that confidence to shine through without coming off as being pushy. Whether that’s through your resilience, assertiveness, or the positive impact you impart on people, the list is endless for ways for women to positively cultivate confidence in the workplace and not need to be seen as some interloper in the business world.
Joshua Cooper | Contributing Writer
