by Sam at Management 3.0
Everyone thinks that leaders are born with confidence, but what so many people don’t realize is that most have to work at it a lot. Confidence can be innate, but it can also be learned, just like emotional intelligence. One of the keys to learning to be confident is to ‘act as if’. Act as if you were the person that you really want to be, the idea that if you embody it, you will truly become that person.
Acting ‘as if’, also helps people overcome imposter syndrome, when you’re in a position that you don’t think you should be in.
What else can we do to learn confidence?
Here are five Ted Talks to help. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or someone who just wants to be more confident, there’s plenty to take away from these thought leaders and industry experts.
#1: How to Build Your Confidence & Spark it in Others: Brittany Packnett is an activist, educator, writer who uses every platform she has to teach truth that provokes people to action — for the sake of freedom and justice. Brittany says:
“Confidence is the necessary spark before everything that follows”
In this inspiring talk, she shares three ways to crack the code of confidence — and her dream for a world where revolutionary confidence helps turn our most ambitious dreams into reality.
#2: The surprising secret to speaking with confidence: A fun and personal talk, Caroline Goyder shares a story of moving from stage-paralysis to expressive self. She encourages us to use our voice as an instrument and really find the confidence within. Caroline is an author and voice coach, with a lifelong curiosity in the question of how we find the courage to think for ourselves: aloud. Caroline is the author of Gravitas: Communicate with Confidence, Influence and Authority.
#3: Your body language may shape who you are: In this brilliant talk, social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, explains how our body language shapes our mind. Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Amy Cuddy argues that “power posing”, standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident, can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success.
#4: How to build your creative confidence: David Kelley tells stories from his legendary design career and his own life and offers ways to build the confidence to create. Some schools are divided between creatives and practical people, but surely creativity is not the domain of only a chosen few.
#5: Why thinking you’re ugly is bad for you: I this great talk about the importance for women and girls to have confidence, Meaghan Ramsey encourages the participation of millions of young girls and women around the world to improve individual confidence.
Her TED Talk and speech at the UN’s 59th Commission on the Status of Women helped highlight the importance of this particular work and the urgent need to address it. Meaghan helps businesses and brands shape their operations and organizations in a way that delivers both positive social change and business growth. She’s developed global education programs and mass-media campaigns and speaks regularly on the role business can, and must, play in creating a sustainable, positive future.
How have you tried to learn confidence? What tips do you have for people? Let us know in the comments below
