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Writer's pictureKate Debow Hayes

What Influences #1 Attribute of Leadership

In the realm of leadership, confidence stands out as the most sought-after attribute. It serves as the foundation upon which successful leaders build their influence and inspire others. Understanding the influences that shape our confidence and learning how to cultivate it can be transformative in both personal and professional growth.


Confidence is often considered the number one attribute we look for in a leader for several reasons:

 

Inspires Trust: A confident leader inspires trust and credibility among their team members and followers. When a leader exudes confidence, it reassures others that they are capable and competent in their role.

 

Decision-Making: Confidence enables leaders to make decisions with conviction and clarity. A confident leader is more likely to take decisive action, even in the face of uncertainty, which can inspire confidence in their team.

 

Resilience: Confidence helps leaders navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience. A confident leader is better equipped to handle adversity, bounce back from failures, and lead their team through difficult times.

 

Influence and Persuasion: Confidence enhances a leader's ability to influence and persuade others. A confident leader can effectively communicate their vision, inspire others to follow their lead, and drive positive change within their organization.

 

Risk-Taking: Confidence encourages leaders to take calculated risks and explore new opportunities. A confident leader is more willing to step out of their comfort zone, innovate, and lead their team towards growth and success.

 

Role Model: Confidence sets an example for others to follow. A confident leader demonstrates self-assurance, self-belief, and a positive mindset, inspiring their team members to believe in themselves and strive for excellence.

 

Overall, confidence plays a crucial role in effective leadership by fostering trust, enabling decision-making, promoting resilience, enhancing influence, encouraging risk-taking, and serving as a positive role model for others. It is a foundational attribute that empowers leaders to lead with authenticity, impact, and success.


There are six main things that have the power to influence how we show up – how much moxy we exude to ourselves and others.




Influences that Shape Our Confidence


Childhood: Early experiences and upbringing play a significant role in shaping our self-belief. Our early experiences and upbringing play a significant role in shaping our confidence in several ways. Parental influence, family dynamics, early social interactions, educational environment and traumatic experiences have shaped our confidence is essential for personal growth and self-awareness. By recognizing the influences that have contributed to our self-perception, we can work towards building resilience, self-compassion, and a positive self-image that empowers us to navigate challenges, pursue our goals, and lead fulfilling lives.


Religion: Spiritual beliefs and practices can impact how we perceive ourselves and our capabilities. Our spiritual beliefs can also significantly influence our confidence and self-perception in various ways. Regardless of denomination (or non-denomination), spiritual practice has been linked to shaping sense of purpose, inner strength, self-worth and hope and optimism. Many spiritual traditions offer teachings, practices, and rituals that provide guidance, wisdom, and moral principles for living a fulfilling and purposeful life. Drawing upon these spiritual teachings can empower individuals to make confident decisions, navigate ethical dilemmas, and align their actions with their values. Spiritual communities and religious organizations often provide a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can connect with like-minded individuals, receive encouragement, and find a sense of belonging. This sense of community support can boost confidence and resilience during challenging times. Ultimately, our spiritual beliefs can serve as a source of strength, guidance, and inspiration that shapes our confidence, resilience, and outlook on life. By integrating our spiritual values and beliefs into our self-development journey, we can cultivate a deep sense of inner confidence, purpose, and peace that empowers us to lead with authenticity and impact.


Society and Culture: Cultural norms and societal expectations can influence our confidence levels. These norms can have impact in several areas, including:

self-image, gender roles, success and achievement definitions, social hierarchies, communication styles and acceptance of diversity of cultures and thought. Understanding how cultural norms and societal expectations influence our confidence is essential for cultivating self-awareness, challenging limiting beliefs, and fostering a sense of empowerment. By recognizing the external influences that shape our self-perception, we can work towards building confidence that is grounded in authenticity, self-acceptance, and resilience. Embracing diversity of thought, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for inclusive environments can contribute to a culture that nurtures confidence and empowers individuals to thrive.


Media: The portrayal of success and beauty in media can impact our self-esteem.

The media plays a significant role in shaping our confidence and self-perception in various ways: beauty standards, social comparison, stereotypes and stigma, what success and achievement look like and, on the flipside, showcase positive role models. Understanding the influence of media on our confidence is crucial for developing media literacy, critical thinking skills, and a healthy relationship with media consumption. By being mindful of the messages we consume, questioning unrealistic portrayals, seeking diverse perspectives, and curating a media diet that aligns with our values and aspirations, we can cultivate confidence that is grounded in authenticity, self-acceptance, and empowerment.


Friends, Family, and Associations: The people we surround ourselves with can either uplift or diminish our confidence.


"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."


JIM ROHN

Self-made millionaire and successful author


Our associations, including friends, family, colleagues, and social circles, play a significant role in shaping our confidence. These individuals have direct impact by influencing and making up our: support systems, influence how we perceive ourselves and our capabilities, become role models wield peer pressure, based on diversity can open up perspectives and offer collaboration and support. By surrounding ourselves with positive influences, setting boundaries with negative influences, and seeking out diverse perspectives, we can build a strong support system that empowers us to thrive with confidence and authenticity.


Previous Performance: Past successes and failures can shape our self-perception and confidence levels. Here's how past performance can influence our confidence levels: successes by validating our abilities, failures by creating self-doubt, offer learning opportunities, ability to achieve goals and tasks, create a positive feedback loop and adopt a growth mindset. Ultimately, while past performance can shape our confidence, it is important to recognize that it does not define our future potential. By reframing past experiences as opportunities for growth, learning, and self-improvement, we can cultivate a mindset that empowers us to move forward with confidence, resilience, and a belief in our ability to achieve our goals.


How has your past in these areas affected your confidence? Have you been able to work through any negative impact? How did you reframe those influences to help you become more confident?


Next month, we will discuss the Five steps to building your confidence!


If you are interested in learning more about this topic, it is just one topic in the Next Gen Leadership Program. These expertly crafted modules cover a wide range of essential leadership topics, including effective communication, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Each module is carefully designed to engage participants, encourage self-reflection, and provide actionable insights that can be immediately applied in the workplace.


To learn more about Next Gen Leadership Program, visit the High Ground Coaching and Development NGL page here.


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