According to one source, 85% of people suffer from low self-esteem. And if you struggle with low self-esteem, your confidence in your work may suffer.
If you’re like the majority, confidence is not something you’re born with. Confidence is something you gain over time. It takes time to build up self-assurance in and outside of work.
Although confidence is not something you can gain overnight, you can use building confidence at work strategies to help boost your self-esteem and competence in the workplace.
7 Tips for building confidence at work
If you want to start building confidence in the workplace, you need to kick your insecurities to the curb. Use these seven self-confidence at work tips to build confidence and boost productivity.
1. Pick up new strengths and skills
If you want to give your confidence the boost it deserves, you’re going to have to give your brain a little workout. Adding new strengths and skills to your repertoire can help you feel confident in no time.
There’s always room for improvement, no matter how experienced you are. On top of gaining confidence, learning new skills can also help you improve job performance.
You can give your skills (and confidence) a boost by:
- Reading up on relevant topics (e.g., growth strategies)
- Doing research
- Attending workshops or seminars
- Meeting with experts
- Learning new skills from coworkers
2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Working with a well-versed team can be intimidating. Everyone likely feels insecure at work at some point. But if you’re too afraid to speak up and ask questions, you’ll miss out on a number of learning opportunities.
It can be scary to ask questions. Instead of shying away from asking, push yourself to ask away. If you don’t know something, ask. If you’re confused about a project, ask. The truth is, it never hurts to ask.
You’ll be better off asking a question than avoiding it. The more questions you ask, the more knowledge you’ll gain. And with more knowledge comes a boost in confidence.
3. Cut yourself some slack
You can’t expect your confidence in the workplace to increase if you’re always putting yourself down. Instead of beating yourself up on the small things, cut yourself some slack and think about the positives.
You’re not perfect. Nobody is. And just like everyone else, you’re bound to make some mistakes in your career.
Although it can be hard not to dwell on past blunders, you need to have a positive mindset to give yourself a confidence boost. Stop saying “I can’t” or “but.” Replace your negative words with confident-filled phrases like, I’ve got this!
A great way to build your self-confidence at work is to think encouraging thoughts. Talk to yourself kindly and keep your mind clear of pessimism. Focus on your achievements and don’t let your mistakes get in the way of your future.
4. Toot your own horn
This next one goes hand in hand with cutting yourself some slack. Along with giving your mind a break from the negatives, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn every once in a while.
Forget about the negatives and pat yourself on the back for the positives. If you ever need a confidence booster, think about everything you’ve accomplished in your career thus far.
Recognizing yourself for your achievements can help you gain confidence at work and make you more productive.
Take some time to think back to the skills you’ve gained, the projects you’ve completed, and all the hard work you’ve done. Don’t brush off your accomplishments. Instead, keep them at the forefront of your mind as a little confidence pick-me-up.
5. Walk with pep in your step
Walking with some swag might seem like a lame tip, but it really works. How you move around the office can make or break your confidence. And, it can affect your mood for the day.
If you want to feel confident, start by looking confident. Instead of shuffling off to your next meeting in a hurry, add a little zing to your step. You could even get some extra energy by doing desk exercises at work. The more bounce and energy you have, the more you’ll start feeling confident.
Who knows— your actions might even rub off on your coworkers or employees and give them a little boost in confidence, too.
6. Surround yourself with positive people
You can’t expect to be confident if you’re surrounded by negative people. Ditch the discouragers and find a group of people at work who will boost your confidence.
If you want to surround yourself with positive people, you might need to step outside your comfort zone a bit.
To find a group that empowers you to be your best self, you can try:
- Introducing yourself to new coworkers
- Talking to coworkers in different departments
- Socializing at company events
- Grabbing coffee or lunch with other employees
Once you find a group that boosts your confidence level and keeps you motivated, don’t stop there. Continue to expand your network and surround yourself with more positive people as you become more comfortable.
7. Improve your body language
Along with putting some extra pep in your step at work, you also need to work on improving other types of body language.
Body language can say a lot about you and your confidence in the workplace. Your posture, the way you pose, and whether or not you smile can impact how confident you feel. And, it can affect how others perceive your level of confidence.
If you want to feel more self-assured in the workplace, try changing up your body language a bit. You could try strategies like:
- Smiling more
- Fixing your posture
- Utilizing power poses
People with confidence tend to smile more frequently. Not to mention, smiling is contagious. When you walk around the office, greet others with a smile to help shift your confidence and attitude.
Adjusting your posture is another way to give your confidence a boost. Slouching all of the time can affect the way you feel and look. Try standing up straighter to build up your confidence.
If you really want to change up your body language, give power posing a try. Some power poses you can test out include standing with your hands on your hips or sitting back with your hands behind your head. Posing might seem silly at first, but doing it can put you into a confident mindset.