How to Build Confidence in New Employees

Some of the worst advice out there... not only can you smell it a mile away, but it actually sets you back more than in propels you forward. “Fake It Till You Make It." The mentality might seem harmless... or even empowering. but here’s the truth: it’s a strategy that holds you back in the long run. When we rely on posturing or “faking it,” we create temporary value... a shaky foundation that breeds uncertainty and self-doubt over time. This approach can chip away at genuine confidence, leaving you second-guessing your abilities rather than embracing your true strengths. If you’re “kind of” believing in what you can do, it will lead to “kind of” results. And let’s be honest: no one invests in that. Here’s a path that builds lasting impact and real credibility: 1. Embrace Where You Are Right Now. Actionable Step: List out the top 3 strengths you bring to the table today. Focus on where you already add value. Use this clarity as your guide when you’re in new or challenging situations. This way, you’re building on a solid, authentic foundation... not pretending to be somewhere you’re not. Starting with a clear view of your strengths gives you a confidence rooted in reality... and equips you to approach each opportunity with authenticity. 2. Get Clear on Your Unique Value. Actionable Step: Identify one specific problem you can solve that aligns with your skills and expertise. Write it down in one sentence (e.g., “I help teams bridge strategy and execution gaps to drive measurable results.”). Use this as a go-to when you’re speaking with potential clients or partners. This clarity around your value will set you apart, making it easier for others to see why they should work with you... not just anyone who fits the role. 3. Bridge Your Gaps Authentically. Actionable Step: Acknowledge a skill or area you’re actively developing. Take one concrete action toward growth each week... whether that’s: - reading - building relationships - mentoring Share this journey with trusted colleagues or clients... without underselling yourself... so they experience your commitment to excellence and your drive to evolve. Owning both your strengths and areas for growth builds long-term credibility and shows others that you’re committed to being the best version of yourself. It’s how true leaders inspire and foster trust. And trust accelerates EVERYTHING.

Fact: No one is born with confidence. Not even your boss who seems to have it all figured out. Not even the CEO who just nailed that keynote. Want to know the truth I've learned after coaching hundreds of leaders? Confidence isn't a personality trait – it's a practice. (And I've got the neuroscience receipts to prove it) Your Confidence Blueprint: The 4S Framework 🧠 1. SELF-CARE: -Make "non-negotiable time" actually non-negotiable -Treat your energy like your most important KPI -Build morning rituals that fuel, not drain -Your calendar is a confession of your priorities 2. SELF-AWARENESS: -Track your wins daily (yes, even the tiny ones) -Map your energy peaks (when do you feel unstoppable?) -Know your triggers (they're trying to tell you something) -Run regular "confidence audits" 3. SELF-BELIEF: -Collect evidence of your capabilities -Challenge the story you're telling yourself -Turn "I should" into "I choose" -Imposter syndrome? Make it your compass, not your cage 4. SELF-EXPRESSION: -Own your voice (even if it shakes) -Take up space (physically and metaphorically) -Share before you're ready -Make bold asks (the answer to unasked questions is always no) 🔥 The Game-Changing Shift: Confidence isn't about feeling ready. It's about starting before you feel ready. > Start with ONE practice from each pillar (From the infographic attached below) > Master it for 21 days. > Then level up. Ready to build your confidence muscles? P.S. Remember: The most confident person in the room started exactly where you are. #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Confidence #CareerGrowth #LeadershipCoaching

If you're looking to grow your communication confidence, the best thing to do is the next, small thing. I recently spoke to a young professional woman who'd recently joined a new team. She's excited about the opportunity to play a bigger role and make a greater impact. But she's struggling to find ways to speak up and contribute. Confidence comes from competence. You grow your confidence when you get your reps in. Small steps lead to bigger ones. But where to start? We brainstormed ways she can begin speaking up and participating in team discussions. ✨ Ask a question ✨ It's easy to ask a clarifying question in follow-up to what someone else has shared. Clarity helps everyone. And asking a question shows interest and engagement. ✨ Yes, and... ✨ Lean into and build upon what another person has said. Use the improv tool of "yes, and..." to flesh out or add to another team member's input. ✨ Give a compliment ✨ Share genuine, positive feedback on someone else's thoughts or presentation. Everyone appreciates a compliment. And being a team member who encourages and builds up others reflects positively on you as well. None of these are enormous displays of your brilliance. They're not designed for that. They're designed to break the ice that's holding your voice hostage. To give you baby steps to speak up. Baby steps always lead to bigger opportunities to share the brilliance inside you. You've got this, sister. Go get em!

Confidence isn’t handed out at birth—you have to build it. In fact, 75% of employees don’t feel confident at work.* In a recent Q&A, someone asked, "What if I don’t have that built-in confidence you seem to have?" The truth? I don’t always have it either. I grow the muscle through small, intentional actions: 1️⃣ Ask for feedback. In your next 1:1, ask your manager to call out one thing you're doing well. Hearing it directly can be a game-changer. 2️⃣ Celebrate wins. Write down two projects that scared you at first but turned out great. Remind yourself you’ve faced challenges and nailed them. 3️⃣ Practice with purpose. Got a presentation? Record yourself, watch it, make tweaks, and do it again. Each round makes you sharper. 4️⃣ Speak up. If you rarely chime in during meetings, try it once a week. Add one comment, idea or question. Small moves have big impact. 5️⃣ Send a quick thank you. After a meeting, message someone about their insights. It’s a low-key way to get seen without the spotlight. Not everyone chases down a CEO to ask them to be their mentor or follows a stranger off the subway (guilty 🤷🏻♀️). But there are ways to grow your boldness that feel authentic and manageable to you: Confidence isn’t about giant leaps. It’s built by small, consistent actions every day. What’s one thing you’ve done recently to boost your confidence? ♻️ If this hit home, pass it on! And follow me, Jenny Wood, for more tips on thriving at work and in life. *According to a 2019 study from the University of Glasgow of male and female workers.

One of the most common barriers I observe among professionals seeking advancement is the misconception that confidence must precede capability demonstration, when in reality, the relationship operates in reverse.   Sustainable professional confidence emerges through systematic competence building rather than emotional preparation.   The Progressive Competence Framework: • Incremental Challenge Acceptance: Taking on responsibilities slightly beyond current comfort zones to build capability evidence gradually • Documentation and Reflection: Systematically recording successes, failures, and lessons learned to create tangible proof of growth and adaptation • Safe Practice Environments: Developing new skills through low-risk opportunities before applying them in high-stakes situations • Feedback Integration: Actively seeking input from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors to accelerate learning curves and avoid prolonged trial-and-error   This approach recognizes that imposter syndrome and career anxiety typically stem from insufficient evidence of capability rather than inherent inadequacy.   Each successful navigation of a new challenge builds neurological pathways that support future confidence in similar situations.   The professionals who advance most smoothly don't eliminate doubt - they develop systems for building competence despite doubt, understanding that confidence emerges as a natural byproduct of demonstrated capability.   For those experiencing self-doubt during career transitions, the solution lies in designing deliberate competence-building experiences rather than waiting for confidence to appear spontaneously.   What strategies have you found most effective for building competence in new professional areas?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #competencedevelopment #careerconfidence #professionalgrowth #careerstrategist

"Stop calling meetings so you can simply organize your own thoughts with witnesses." - Amber Naslund 😂 Facilitators need to organize and create purposeful meetings, but it's equally important that you speak up! I know this can be intimidating for many of you. (it was for me as well) Here are 10 ways to speak up in your next meeting: (progressive steps to build your confidence) 1. Know the agenda: "I've reviewed the meeting topics..."   → Familiarize yourself with the meeting structure beforehand. 2. Prepare one talking point: "I have a thought on the second item..."   → Jot down a single idea you feel comfortable sharing. 3. Acknowledge others: "Thank you, [Name], for bringing that up."   → Start by simply showing you're engaged and listening. 4. Ask a clarifying question: "Could you elaborate on...?"   → Seek more information on a point someone else made. 5. Piggyback on ideas: "To add to [Name]'s point..."   → Build upon a colleague's contribution with a short comment. 6. Offer a brief experience: "I encountered something similar when..."   → Share a quick, relevant personal anecdote. 7. Summarize a discussion: "If I understand correctly, we're saying..."   → Recap a part of the conversation to ensure understanding. 8. Present prepared research: "I found some data on this topic..."   → Share a fact or statistic you've looked up in advance. 9. Suggest a small action item: "I could look into that for next time."   → Volunteer for a manageable task related to the discussion. 10. Express a thoughtful opinion: "From my perspective..."   → Share your own viewpoint on a topic, backing it with reasoning. TL;DR (try to speak up in the first 30 mins) 1. First meeting: Learn the agenda beforehand.    → Simply knowing what to expect can boost your comfort level. 2. Next meeting: Expand on someone else's thought.   → Try the "piggyback" technique: "Building on [Name]'s point..." 3. Following meeting: Introduce your own idea.   → Start small: "I had a thought about..." 4. Keep growing: Each meeting, challenge yourself to contribute a bit more.   → Progress from asking questions to sharing insights to leading discussions. For those who need to speak up, remember that confidence grows with practice. For those who facilitate meetings, I'll leave you with this: #aLITTLEadvice