Authentic Confidence is one of those things that has instant appeal. It also appeals to a wide range of people. I love that I could ask 10 people “What is it?” and I would get 10 different answers. The beauty is, that each answer would be correct. That’s the thing about being confident in an authentic way – there’s no prescribed solution. It’s down to you to express your confidence in a form and manner that is meaningful to you.
So what is Authentic Confidence?
There are two ways to answer this. The first is that you need to understand what you need to understand. There’s a model to help you with this bit. The second answer is as above, it’s all down to you and who you are. To be authentic, you need to know yourself and be yourself.
Let me share a recent personal example with you. Feel free to laugh with me, as you read on. It was early on a Monday morning following an emotionally challenging weekend. It was gloomy, blowy and rainy outside, and in all honesty, my internal weather wasn’t too different. I was observing my mindset with interest as it set about trying to destruct the day ahead. On my meditation mat, starting the day from a more anchored, settled place I realised there was only one thing for it. I made a conscious decision not to let my mindset take hold. To help you out here, this is the bit in the story signposting I know myself. It also illustrates how important mindset is when it comes to Authentic Confidence.
What does Authentic Confidence look like?
To navigate the day ahead and shift into an enhancing mindset, I knew I needed to fully embrace being me. I needed to be myself. I literally heard myself doing some spoken cheerleading “Be yourself today Anna”. What that required on this particular day (the first day of December) was a pair of shorts. Mismatching socks, a red top and a yellow jacket helped seal the big deal of Anna being Anna. There was no escaping how I needed to be me that day. It worked. Authenticity in full flow, expressed through the medium of clothing. The chances of this being the correct answer on ‘how to be authentically confident’ for someone else are, let’s face it, slim.
Can others impact Authentic Confidence?
Critical to this story (and the whole concept of confidence) is that we don’t get to just be ourselves in isolation. As humans, it is demanded that we engage with others. Along with that, the more we feel a sense of belonging, the more confident we become.
As I made my way around London that day, I came up against quite a range of reactions. How I expressed myself led others to openly express themselves too. Some told me how shocked they were, that I was wearing shorts. Others gave me incredulous looks, or looks of dismay. One woman shook her head at me as I walked towards her. But we both smiled at each other, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a moment of connection on a blustery train platform. I was connecting with others and it made me feel good. Even if they clearly disapproved, I did not mind.
What role does competence play in Authentic Confidence?
At work, it’s not only important that authentic confidence comes from authenticity and connectedness, it also needs to come from competence. Now I know some might argue that I hadn’t dressed with much competence that day. Shorts on a wintery day, mismatching socks, colours that wouldn’t appear on a catwalk. Indeed, many commented on the wisdom of my choice of clothes. However, I wore them competently. I wasn’t cold. I was comfortable. My bright colours did the job. Whilst I share my story to amuse, some of you may be able to relate from a more conventional setting. Maybe you can recall wearing the right jacket or shoes to support a competent presentation or client meeting. Sometimes it’s not enough to have all the knowledge or skill, we need to feel the part to allow our competence to flow.
Authenticity Leads. Expression Transforms.
On that day I was following the mantra Authenticity leads. Expression transforms. I share my story to entertain, illustrate and provoke some thought. What actually lies behind the sentiment of it, is years of research and evidence-base. But don’t just rely on this old practitioner-academic for opinions. I’m not the only person who believes that authenticity is a critical element of leadership. Last month I went to a CIPD networking event and listened to three brilliant HR leaders speak. These leaders are in local and global industries – University of Sussex, Amex Stadium and Allied Universal.
What industry leaders say about authenticity
Colin Ship is the Executive Director of Human Resources at the University of Sussex, a university we here at Zest have a lot of relationships and connections with. He spoke consistently of his belief in authenticity as the key for leading for the future. The night’s topic was Thriving through change, pressure and purpose, and Colin was in no doubt about how leading with authenticity is key to thriving as a leader in these times.
That night, we heard a lot about the need to deliver change, embracing AI, keeping ahead of competitors, good strategy and planning, diversity, equity & inclusion, wellbeing, delivering more for less… These leaders in HR were doing all of these things, yet when I asked them about the role vulnerability plays, the energy shifted a gear. Heather Page, VP Global Learning and Development (Allied Universal) and Rose Read, Head of People & Culture (B&H Albion FC) both shared in their own ways, that this work is also about being human, making mistakes, showing up on the difficult days. The courage this takes is the same kind of courage it can take to be authentic. This is what inspires others to keep moving forward.
What impact does authentic confidence have?
For me in my shorts on the blustery December day, it meant I was able to lean into my day with the energy it required and show up for those who needed me that day. Stepping back and looking at the impact it has on my clients working lives shows it can be huge.
- We’ve worked with leaders who have transitioned from feeling the odd one out, to celebrating their unique style of leadership and everything it brings them, their team and organization. This has enabled them to drive change whilst bringing people with them.
- Neurodivergent people tend to benefit hugely from finding their Authentic Confidence. Promotions, greater impact with teams and colleagues and a positive impact on productivity and output.
- Teams having candid conversations in a safe space had a big impact on how the team engages and their relationships. This means a shift in senior leadership teams from working in silo, to uniting effectively as a team.
- A directorate moving from tick-box transactions with staff, to a people-centred way of doing things. One of the drivers behind this work was to reduce complaints against line mangers and employment tribunals.
What can you do to improve Authentic Confidence in the workplace?
These are just a few examples. If you are looking to create meaningful change on a personal level then check out authenticconfidence.me . If you want to support your team, department or organisation then get in touch anna@zestpsychology.com
Author: Dr Anna Kane, Founder and Director of Zest. Wearer of shorts in December.
