What does it mean to be a self-confident leader?

Does it mean doing the easy things associated with leadership? Does it mean only doing the things you feel like doing when it comes to leading your people? Does it mean accomplishing the simple and easy goals that were established for your team?

No, leaders who are self-confident are willing to take risks when calculated and necessary. Self-confident leaders always strive to do more than is asked of their group. Self-assured leaders are willing to have difficult conversations because they know what the mission is and understand that they need others to accomplish the task at hand.

Here are four strategies to build confidence from an article in Entrepreneur Magazine (Popov - 11/24/2022).

1. Show that both good and bad examples are excellent teachers - Use your mistakes as guidance to show your team the importance of continuing to move forward.

2. Being open to feedback, even if it's negative can be an indicator of self-confidence - Seeking feedback from your staff and accepting criticism, is a key trait for all leaders to possess. 

3. Make sure your actions align with your words - When a leader's behavior doesn't mirror their talk, the leader knows their credibility has been diminished and their reputation tarnished.

4. Showing flexibility and adaptability is essential - A leader needs to be able to adapt to changes as they occur to demonstrate their effectiveness is bigger than the circumstances.   

Being self-confident is a skill-set that needs constant monitoring and maintenance, but is a character trait that will serve you well in all aspects of your life.

Please check out the video below to learn how a tiny nun from India had the self-confidence to get two of the most powerful men in New York to do her bidding.

Also, leave me a comment about ways you examine and improve your self-confidence.  

When was the last time you felt totally down and alone? When was the last time you felt nobody understood what you were  going through? When was the last time you just wanted someone to ask how you were doing?

During those difficult times, did you want someone to be sympathetic or empathetic toward you?

Well, what's the difference between sympathy and empathy? Sympathy is trying to point out a positive aspect of the vulnerability a person just shared. Empathy is making yourself vulnerable and feeling with the person.

Empathy fuels connections with the vulnerable person. Sympathy keeps you above the problem but prevents you from getting into the weeds of being vulnerable.

One of the reasons being a hostage negotiator with the Cincinnati Police Department SWAT Team was so exhausting, was because in order to be empathetic, I had to go where the hostage taker or barricaded person was. Many times, that was a very dark and ugly location.

Tactical Empathy was a term we used that helped us see a situation from another person's point of view. By asking how the person was feeling and making a commitment to understand (not agree with) their perspective, we began to form a connection with the vulnerable person.

The problem with most of us is that when we are presented with a problem or issue from another person, we try to "fix" the situation. We want to make things better, and that almost never happens. In addition, what the vulnerable person wants most, is to know they aren't alone. They aren't looking for a solution to their problem. They are looking for someone to stand beside them so they don't feel so lonely and isolated.  

Please check out the short video below about the difference between sympathy and empathy.

Also, please leave me a comment about your thoughts on being sympathetic versus empathetic and which one you would prefer if you were in a vulnerable situation.

I am proud to announce that I recently received my copy of the newly released book entitled, AUDACIOUSNESS, written by my friends Maribel Ortega and Helen Strong.  The book is a guide to living  your best life. I am fortunate to have been quoted in several chapters of the book and featured in the Appendix. 
​Please take a look at it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, as part of your summer reading.