Confidence is vital for anyone looking to succeed in their profession. Confidence allows individuals to believe in themselves and their abilities despite the obstacles and challenges they will face. Confidence can help you take calculated risks, make difficult decisions and overcome your fears. However, building confidence can be daunting for many people. This blog post explores what confidence is and how it can help legal marketers. We also discuss “managing up” — what it is, how to do it and how these skills can help you achieve your goals.

What is Confidence?

For decades, confidence was defined as belief in oneself and one’s abilities. It was perceived as a trait. But more research has shown that confidence is a skill, not a personality trait. This is why the definition from Mel Robbins, mindmapper and author of “The 5 Second Rule,” resonates better: “Confidence is not the belief in self. Confidence is the willingness to try.” It is an action.

Defining confidence as a skill also means it is not synonymous with arrogance. A confident person does not have to puff up their chest. They just have to try to do the action that is causing them anxiety or fear.

This is why confidence is not something that people are born with, but something that can be developed over time. Building confidence requires a combination of self-awareness, positive self-talk and risk-taking. Individuals who lack confidence tend to have negative self-talk and often underestimate their abilities. They may also avoid taking risks, which can hinder their personal and professional growth.

There are five ways you can begin to build confidence.

  1. Take action. You’re not going to build confidence by thinking about the things you need to do. Focus on facts, not feelings, and take action. Only through action can you unlock your potential.
  2. Create an alter ego or future you. When you start acting like the person you want to become, you’re trying to be that person.
  3. Prepare. The more you practice something, the more comfortable you will be with doing it. Practice prepares you. It allows your mind and nervous system to calm down.
  4. Choose a growth mindset. Reframe when things go awry. Failure is not the end. Everything is preparing you for something that hasn’t happened yet.
  5. Focus on you. No one else is going to try for you. You have to do this for you. Focus on getting into a better relationship with yourself.

How Confidence Can Help You in Your Career

Confidence can help you achieve your professional goals by enabling you to:

  • Take risks — Confidence allows individuals to take calculated risks that can lead to success. Taking risks requires you to step outside your comfort zone and trust in your abilities.
  • Make decisions — Confidence lets individuals make difficult decisions, even in high-pressure situations. Confident individuals are more likely to make sound decisions because they trust their abilities and judgment.
  • Speak up — Confident individuals are more likely to speak up in meetings and express their ideas and opinions. This can lead to recognition, as well as better collaboration and innovation in the workplace.
  • Take on challenges — Confident individuals are more likely to take on new challenges and responsibilities. They are willing to learn new skills and take on new tasks, which can lead to career growth and advancement.

How does this relate to managing up?

Managing Up: What It Means and Why It’s Important

Managing up describes the act of managing your relationship with a boss or supervisor. It involves taking initiative and communicating effectively with the boss to ensure that their needs are met and expectations are exceeded. Managing up is important because it can help you:

  • Build trust — Effective communication and initiative can help build trust between an individual and their boss. Trust is crucial in any relationship, especially in the workplace.
  • Gain support — Managing up can help individuals gain support from the boss for projects, ideas and career development. It can also lead to mentorship opportunities and career growth.
  • Clarify expectations — Effective communication can help individuals clarify their boss’s expectations and priorities. This can lead to better performance and fewer misunderstandings.
  • Advocate for yourself — Managing up allows individuals to advocate for themselves and their needs. This can include asking for feedback, resources and support when needed.

Tips for Building Confidence and Managing Up

Building confidence and managing up can be challenging, but these tips can help you develop these skills.

  • Set achievable goals: Setting achievable goals can help you build confidence by allowing you to see your progress over time. It can also help you manage up by providing a clear direction for your work.
  • Practice positive self-talk: Positive self-talk can help you build confidence by encouraging you to focus on your strengths and abilities. It can also help you manage up by allowing you to communicate your strengths effectively to your boss.
  • Begin implementing the five tips for building confidence: Take action, envision future you, prepare, choose a growth mindset and focus on you.
  • Seek feedback: Seeking feedback can help you build confidence by providing information about areas where you can improve.

Are you ready to build more confidence and manage up? Reach out to us here.