There’s so much conversation out there about introversion vs. extroversion but in reality, it’s confidence and self-esteem that are the essential factors that determine the quality of your professional life and play a critical role in your performance, relationships, and overall satisfaction on the job.
While interconnected, they’re actually two different things: confidence is the belief in your abilities and worth, while self-esteem refers to how we value and perceive ourselves.
Make no mistake though, both are crucial for professional growth and success.
1. First of all, having confidence in your skills and abilities leads to better overall performance (just like how you shoot pool better after that 2nd margarita). When you have confidence in yourself, you’re more likely to take bold decisions, and you’re less afraid to take risks.
Confidence allows us to step out of our comfort zones and take calculated risks, leading to personal and professional growth. It enables us to overcome obstacles, navigate workplace dynamics, and seize opportunities for advancement.
At the same time, self-esteem empowers us to recognize our intrinsic value, accept constructive feedback, and bounce back from setbacks.
Trusting your skills usually means you perform tasks more efficiently, since you’re not second guessing everything, which results in higher productivity and better results.
High self-esteem fosters a positive mindset, enabling individuals to face challenges with resilience and perseverance. On the other hand, folx who lack self-confidence tend to doubt their abilities and often perform sub-optimally, leading to dissatisfaction and underachievement.
2. Confidence and self-esteem can also affect professional relationships. When you’re self-assured, you tend to be more comfortable around your colleagues, clients, and leaders. You effectively communicate your ideas and thoughts without coming across as unsure or hesitant.
Assertiveness, a product of confidence, allows individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns clearly and respectfully. Self-esteem enables individuals to receive feedback constructively and engage in open dialogue, leading to stronger working relationships. This visibility helps to build beneficial relationships and you're more likely to be successful in those collaborations.
In contrast, a lack of self-assurance can lead to communication breakdowns and misunderstandings, and eventually strain relationships.
3. Lastly, confidence and self-esteem contribute significantly to our overall mental health, outlook and personal/professional growth.
What that means is that if it doesn’t come naturally to you (and it definitely doesn’t for everyone) building confidence and self-esteem in the workplace is essential for your personal and professional growth.
Confidence and self-esteem are top traits for aspiring leaders. Individuals with high confidence and self-esteem are more likely to take on leadership roles, inspire and motivate others, and make informed decisions. These qualities also increase the likelihood of career advancement and professional recognition.
A healthy level of confidence enables us to take on challenges, assert ourselves, and seize opportunities while solid self-esteem influences how we perceive ourselves and our abilities, affecting our motivation and resilience.
If you want step-by-step approaches and actionable tips on overcoming imposter syndrome, challenging negative self-talk, building a positive self-image, and cultivating self-compassion start here.
Yours in confident career goodness,
EBS
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EB Sanders | Career Coach For Creative Types
www.ebsanders.com
