We are all in need of confidence and it comes in many different forms throughout our life. Confidence can grow from within, with our own self-belief or maybe through the encouragement and support we receive from others. We can take confidence from our own business success and equally from the investment in our sector or industry. The critical factor is the investment in ourselves, our business or our industry – this will breed confidence in those moments of doubt.

Here are a few thoughts for consideration.

Confidence . . . . is the ability to confront challenges and conflict with confidence, courage and professionalism.

1. Shows self-belief on home ground:

Interacts confidently with colleagues in the team.

Expresses own opinions with confidence when asked.

Presents self in a confident and forthright way within own role and responsibilities.

Takes decisions in own area of responsibility without unnecessarily referring to others.

Confidently tackles substandard health and safety practices without hesitation.

2. Proactively expresses views:

Deals confidently with more senior managers, colleagues and customers.

Proactively offers opinions.

Questions the way things are done, offering alternative views.

Puts him/herself forward for challenging roles or projects outside their comfort zone.

Admits to mistakes and learns from them.

Challenges health and safety custom and practice, even if the ‘norm’.

3. Confidently challenges others:

Demonstrates confidence with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and shareholders.

Effectively challenges commonly held assumptions across the business.

Maintains confidence and stays calm during difficult situations.

Makes decisions that may be unpopular, explaining the rationale.

Speaks up for what she/he believes in, even in the face of powerful opposition or personal risk.

4. Takes on significant challenges:

Is willing to take on extreme challenges.

Stands by difficult decisions, even when faced with disagreement and hostility.

Does what is right for the business even at significant personal risk.

Believes strongly in own capability to drive the business forward.

Confidence should not be confused with arrogance and we should embrace confidence – it is infectious if used wisely. Confidence can breed confidence in others, with a little encouragement, to help motivate people and the industry to achieve great things. We need to have confidence to take on the issues of today and tomorrow without self-doubt.

“Confidence breathes life into us all.”